CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. -- Controversy continues in Caroline County where the Commonwealth’s Attorney is now facing a lawsuit after an altercation in a courtroom.
In addition, the man hoping to get his job, is also accused of serious allegations in the lawsuit.
It started on May 15, after an altercation over a DUI manual between Commonwealth Attorney Anthony Spencer and defense attorney Melissa Danjczek during a courtroom hearing.
A $52 million lawsuit filed by attorney Melissa Danjczek’s includes written testimony from five sheriff’s deputies who all said they witnessed Spencer accuse Danjczek of stealing a DUI manual from his office.
When asked by the judge to handle the matter outside the courtroom, the deputies state Spencer snatched the book from Danjczek shoving her in the process.
The lawsuit states the judge ordered Spencer to hand over the manual and leave the room.
Later that same day, documents show Spencer filed a warrant alleging that Danjczek stole the manual, and had her arrested. Her attorney said the charges against her have since been dropped due to lack of evidence.
“My client was wronged,” said Danjczek’s attorney Vincent L. Robertson Sr.
He said Danjczek has been repeatedly harassed since the altercation. Court documents included in the suit show that a Caroline County judge removed Spencer from all of Danjczek`s cases.
The lawsuit also accuses both Spencer and a lawyer named John Mahoney of intimidating and threatening Danjczek as they tried to get her to resolve the situation. Mahoney is running to be the next Commonwealth’s Attorney.
“My client is fearful of what could happen to her after all of this,” said Robertson.
CBS 6 went to Caroline County to ask the Anthony Spencer about the allegations in the lawsuit. He refused to talk on camera, or to answer any questions, but issued this written statement.
“This type of lawsuit is what you might expect to happen when you have, in my opinion, a plaintiff with a very bad reputation for honesty represented by a lawyer who makes frivolous claims. This lawsuit is entirely without merit, and I will not let it distract me. I will make no further public comments until after the lawsuit is dismissed.”
CBS 6 spoke with attorney John Mahoney over the phone. He refused to comment on the lawsuit.
CBS 6 also reached out to the State’s Attorney General`s office to see if it`s likely any criminal charges will come from this case. We`re told the office cannot comment on whether or not they are investigating cases.
