Deltona Commissioner Dori Howington won't face charges after a dustup with a fellow commissioner, according to the State Attorney's Office.
Deltona Commissioner Emma Santiago sought criminal charges against Howington, alleging that Howington threatened her and patted her on the shoulder during a confrontation.
The issue stemmed from a Deltona City Commission meeting on May 4, according to a Volusia Sheriff's Office report.
Santiago raised concerns about Howington's then-employment as chief financial officer at the Volusia County Clerk of Court and asked about getting an opinion on a potential conflict of interest.
Santiago told a deputy that Mayor Santiago Avila, Jr., overheard Howington mumble on the dais, "I'm going to get that bitch," according to the report.
Santiago said Howington confronted her the next day at City Hall. During the exchange, which was caught on video, Howington patted Santiago on the shoulder. Howington also said, "I know where you live," Santiago told the deputy.
The Volusia Sheriff's Office sent a report to the State Attorney's Office for review, with potential charges listed of simple battery and threatening an elected official or their family.
The State Attorney's Office investigated the incident and decided not to pursue charges, according to documents from the office.
"This determination should not be interpreted as condoning the reported conduct, but instead reflects an exercise of prosecutorial discretion consistent with the purposes of criminal prosecution and the furtherance of justice," according to a note dated July 7 from Assistant State Attorney Nick Kramperth.
In the fallout from the incident, Howington lost her job at the clerk's office.
— Sheldon Gardner covers Volusia County government, including Volusia County beaches, the city of Daytona Beach and other local governments in West Volusia.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: State attorney makes decision in Deltona commissioner case