CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the House of Delegates voted to table two resolutions to discipline Delegate Mike Caputo, who admitted to forcing open a chamber door in anger last week, hitting a young doorkeeper.
Meanwhile, a lawyer obtained by doorkeeper Logan Casterline says he’ll seek compensation.
“The actions of Delegate Caputo caused Mr. Casterline significant pain, requiring that he seek medical attention,” stated Kanawha County lawyer Chris Pritt, who was a 2018 candidate for House of Delegates. “He deserves to be compensated for this and all other damages he has sustained.”
The statement did not specify an injury or diagnosis.
This started last Friday when Caputo and other Democratic delegates got angry over an anti-Muslim display that was part of “WV GOP Day” outside the House Chamber. Caputo attempted to enter the front doors of the chamber between the prayer and Pledge ceremonies, found the doors blocked and forced his way in, knocking the door into the doorkeeper.
Multiple officials at the Statehouse said Casterline visited the Capitol on Thursday and that Caputo apologized to him in person.
The House of Delegates this morning considered and rejected two proposals to further discipline Caputo, D-Marion.
The first resolution would have expelled Caputo for the remainder of his elected term in office. The motion to table that resolution passed 65-35.
The second would have resulted in censure, which is an official statement of disapproval. The motion to table that resolution passed 62-38.
Caputo publicly apologized for his actions last Saturday. He was removed from his committee assignments by Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay.
Caputo resolution in @WVHouse https://t.co/7Dk3LGrEUF
— Brad McElhinny (@BradMcElhinny) March 8, 2019
Caputo spoke with reporters, including The Dominion Post’s David Beard, after the morning floor session.
“I want to thank everyone in a bipartisan fashion, who I believe has forgiven me for my actions, which I openly admitted and apologized to everyone, including the doorkeeper,” he said. “So hopefully, this thing is behind us. I certainly want it behind myself and my family. And I hope everybody else does as well.”
Caputo went on to describe some of the accusations in the resolutions as questionable, particularly descriptions of the doorkeeper’s physical health.
The resolution to expel Caputo was sponsored by Delegate Marshall Wilson, R-Berkeley. Delegate Joe Jeffries, R-Kanawha, asked during this morning’s floor session to join as a co-sponsor.
“When the conduct of a member goes so far outside that which is expected of a representative of the citizens of this state, the remaining members must act to preserve the honor and credibility of that body. Not to act and repudiate such conduct destroys the credibility of the House and the faith of the people in their government,” Wilson’s resolution stated.
The resolution to censure Caputo had 27 Republican sponsors. The lead sponsor was Delegate Tom Bibby, R-Berkeley.
“We can’t allow our emotions to get ahold of us as it did the gentleman from the 50th (district) last Friday,” Bibby said on the House floor.
He continued, “We can’t allow anyone to put a hand on anyone or to do violence to anyone.”
Delegate Sharon Malcolm, R-Kanawha, rose and spoke in favor of the resolutions. She says Caputo made contact with her and cursed near her in the chamber doorway last week.
“What we’re doing here is condoning violence,” Malcolm said.
Caputo, speaking to reporters, denied Malcolm’s accusations that he assaulted or cursed her.
“I think a lot of stuff was fabricated. And if something comes on down the road, that will all come out. … I’ve admitted to my mistake. I’ve never hid behind. And I apologize again to all West Virginia for my actions.”
Caputo was the top Democrat in the House last Friday because Minority Leader Tim Miley was away. When tempers started to arise over the display, Caputo said he felt pressure to get inside the chamber to warn the Speaker and to cool down his caucus.
He said he stopped outside the front door when it was clear the daily prayer was going on. But then when he saw people moving to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, he again tried to get into the door but found it blocked.
“To be honest, I was a Pledge of Allegiance away from all of this not happening, and I deeply regret that,” he said earlier this week on MetroNews’ “Talkline.”
Pritt, the lawyer, stated that relevant parties will be given “notice of our intention to seek all civil remedies available.”
“Regardless of whether Delegate Caputo’s actions were purposeful or just negligent, his outrageous conduct put an innocent man in the hospital,” he stated.
“Regardless of whether Delegate Caputo was offended or not, no one deserves to endure what Mr. Casterline went through. When you live in a civil society, even when one is offended, aggression is not the answer.”
Aside from the statement by the doorkeeper’s lawyer, little other official information has been conveyed about his condition, although multiple sources said he was at the Statehouse on Thursday. House spokesman Jared Hunt, like others, has cited medical privacy laws.
“That incident has been referred to the Capitol Police for investigation,” Hunt said last week. “Because this is a personnel matter, I cannot comment further.
Miley wrote on Twitter that he believes the doorkeeper was not seriously injured. He said that information came from the doorkeeper’s visit to the Capitol, as well as from people close to the doorkeeper.
“The affected doorkeeper admitted to witnesses yesterday that he wasn’t injured but told to go seek medical attention nonetheless. R’s trying to concoct story where none exists,” Miley wrote on Twitter.
Senate Minority Leader Roman Prezioso, D-Marion, who shares constituents with Caputo, wrote a statement in support of Caputo’s character and work ethic.
“In light of the resolutions introduced in the House of Delegates last night, I feel the need to speak and affirm the honorable character of Delegate Mike Caputo,” Prezioso wrote.
The woman who had the display that sparked the controversy returned to the Capitol Friday. Brenda Arthur said she was back to make a statement about free speech.
She said she did not seek or receive clearance from the House to set up her Friday display. She came in through the public entrance, where security officers checked her posters and passed her through. https://t.co/jPzgscs7sQ
— The Dominion Post (@DominionPostWV) March 8, 2019
Dominion Post reporter David Beard contributed to this story.