War of words between Cahokia Mayor and village trustee continues

KSDK -- A Cahokia village trustee is accusing the mayor of shoving him following Tuesday's night's Cahokia Village Board meeting.

In a statement to the media Thursday night, Trustee William Brown said he went into the hallway outside the meeting room and was followed by Mayor Frank Bergman. Brown alleges Bergman pushed one man aside and then shoved him.

Brown said video shot by a NewsChannel 5 photojournalist who covered the meeting helps to validate his claim.

Brown said Bergman should be prosecuted for aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony, since the alleged attack happened in a public setting. Brown went on to say that he fears for his safety and his family's safety.

Brown also accused Bergman of harassing him and three other village trustees, who were all recently charged with voter fraud in September. The mayor said they should not be allowed to serve on the village board while under indictment.

Mayor Bergman was quoted in the Belleville News-Democrat as saying, "I never pushed anyone."

Cahokia Police Chief Rick Watson is investigating Brown's accusation against the mayor. However, Brown said Chief Watson's investigation suffers from a conflict of interest since he was appointed to the position by Mayor Bergman.