The Wrath of Kahn

Clark-Coleman Claims Kahn 'Charged' Her
"Sen. Irma CLARK-COLEMAN [[D-Detroit) today filed a complaint with the Senate Majority Leader's office against Sen. Roger KAHN [[R-Saginaw), claiming that the first-term senator "charged" at her "like a bull" while they were in an elevator after Wednesday's Senate Appropriations Committee."

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The wrath of Kahn? Saginaw Township senator accused of accosting female colleague in elevator

by David Eggert | The Associated Press Thursday June 18, 2009, 9:32 PM

LANSING -- A 72-year-old state senator filed a complaint Thursday accusing Saginaw Township Republican Sen. Roger Kahn of accosting and physically intimidating her as the two argued about budget cuts in an elevator at the state Capitol.
In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, Detroit Democrat Irma Clark-Coleman said the 64-year-old Kahn showed "petulant and violent" behavior toward her after an Appropriations Committee hearing Wednesday afternoon.
Clark-Coleman wrote that Kahn "rushed at me as if he were going to strike me in the face," but Sen. John Pappageorge, a Troy Republican, blocked his advance.
Kahn denied the allegations Thursday night, calling them "baseless." He said he and Clark-Coleman had a verbal argument but that people were standing between them.
"That's it. I was on one side of elevator and she was on the other. ... That's all I have to say about it. I don't think a lot is to be gained by dignifying these baseless accusations."
Clark-Coleman, who said she filed a complaint with the state police, asked Bishop to sanction Kahn for conduct unbecoming of an elected official.
The two were arguing over cuts the committee made to the Department of Community Health budget. Clark-Coleman said she had expressed "great displeasure" with cuts she thought would hurt Wayne County and Detroit's ability to provide physical and mental health treatment to poor and uninsured residents.
Kahn "charged at me like a bull" and startled others with his "hysterical behavior," according to the complaint filed by Clark-Coleman.
Clark-Coleman said Pappageorge took her by the elbow and escorted her "out of harm's way" while Kahn continued verbally assaulting her. She said state budget director Bob Emerson and Sen. Bill Hardiman, a Kentwood Republican, were standing outside the elevator and "looked up in utter amazement" as Kahn yelled at her.
Kahn said two other people were in the elevator at the time: his legislative director and Sen. Jim Barcia, a Bay City Democrat. Efforts to reach the other people involved were not immediately successful Thursday night.
No one else in the elevator "will substantiate any part of what she has written in that document," Kahn said. "It is disappointing to see policy differences deteriorate into written and personal attacks."
Clark-Coleman said Bishop apologized to her Thursday morning. A message seeking comment was left with Bishop's spokesman.
Clark-Coleman wanted to speak publicly about the incident on the Senate floor Thursday, but majority Republicans adjourned before statements could be made.
"To me that doesn't say much for them to disallow my constitutional rights to speak," she told the AP. She declined to speak more about the incident, saying lawyers had advised her not to.

http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/in...town.html#more