Tesalon Felicien

The Greenville News

A Greenville County Councilman was charged in connection to an Oct 4. incident after a man was hit with an aluminum pipe at an Easley business, according to the Pickens County Sheriff's Office.

Rick Roberts, who represents District 21, is charged with simple battery and assault, 3rd degree, according to warrants.

Roberts struck the victim with the pipe on his right hip while the two were at the Saluda River Yacht Club, according to warrants.

A Pickens County deputy responded to the business at 1307 Old Easley Highway at 6:55 p.m. in reference to an assault and battery that occurred, according to an incident report.

The incident occurred last week when Roberts was informed that a family was struggling with depression and needed to be reached immediately, according to a written statement released to The Greenville News Friday.

"While Mr. Roberts was waiting outside of the establishment to leave with his family member, he was confronted by the manager who picked up the lower part of an aluminum umbrella and attempted to attack Mr. Roberts," according to the statement. "Mr. Roberts was able to wrestle the aluminum bar away and manager reentered establishment. Police stayed with the family member in need until other family members arrived. Mr. Roberts maintained his innocence and looks forward to the actual facts of the incident coming to light."

Roberts turned himself in to the Law Enforcement Center on Oct. 11, and was released on a personal recognizance bond of $1,000, according to jail records.

Roberts said the manager who filed the complaint is no longer employed at the business where the altercation occurred.

Calls to the restaurant were not returned.

Roberts is scheduled to appear in court on Nov.15.

Anna Lee contributed to this report.