New Jersey mayor restrained after charging at resident during council meeting

Pemberton Township Mayor Matthew Bianchini was restrained after charging at resident Michael Sawka during a council meeting in New Jersey, according to reports from multiple iHeart outlets. The incident occurred on October 21 when tensions escalated following remarks by a recently terminated township official.

Video footage showed the mayor rushing at Sawka, who is known as a frequent critic, after Sawka made a hand gesture described by some as obscene. Bianchini was held back by several people, including the terminated official, and was escorted out of the chambers while shouting at Sawka.

Sawka called for the mayor's resignation and demanded his arrest, stating that the incident was captured on video and audio. Bianchini later expressed regret for his actions but said he felt justified and would act the same way again if needed.

The mayor claimed that Sawka and others made rude comments about his family during the meeting, a claim Sawka denied, asserting that it was Bianchini's family who had made rude remarks toward him. Sawka has filed a municipal court complaint seeking assault and terroristic threat charges against Bianchini, though police have not confirmed whether charges will be filed.

Bianchini was appointed mayor in January after the previous mayor resigned and is currently running for a full term in the upcoming November election.