This story was updated May 13 at noon.
No charges were filed following a disturbance that occurred at the Embassy Suites on Saturday night, according to the Asheville Police Department. The incident ,first reported by McClatchy over the weekend, occurred at a Rotary District 7670 event where Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-11) was listed as one of the speakers.
Asheville Police Department officers confirmed that they responded to the Embassy Suites in downtown Asheville around 6:37 p.m. on May 10th to investigate a report of a disturbance, “in which an individual alleged they were assaulted by Congressman Chuck Edwards.”
After an APD investigation and several witness interviews, APD said it was mutually determined with the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office that no criminal charges against any party involved in the incident will be initiated.
Edwards’ office shared a statement with BPR on Tuesday at 11am. Edwards said that the APD investigation was discontinued because of "inconclusive evidence and a lack of probable cause."
"I thank the department for doing their due diligence. It is an honor to serve the people of Western North Carolina, and I will continue to work on their behalf to represent them in Congress," Edwards said in the statement.
On Sunday, Edwards told McClatchy in a written statement that after he spoke, he “refused to engage with an intoxicated man that was cursing.” However, on Monday, McClatchy spoke with one of the organizers of the event who said that Edwards hit a Rotarian with a clipboard.
Guy Gooder of Franklin told McClatchy that he heard but didn’t see Edwards hit the man.
BPR has submitted a public records request to the City of Asheville for the incident report.
