DC Democrat Mayor Bowser announces deputy mayor's resignation amid assault charges and mounting questions about residency

In a press conference on Wednesday, D.C.'s Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser announced her acceptance of Deputy Mayor Chris Geldart's resignation.

Geldart, tasked with overseeing "public safety and justice" in the District, was charged with assault and battery earlier this month and placed on administrative leave by the city on October 5. The resultant police report opened Geldart to additional scrutiny as the address attributed to him was based in Virginia, a potential issue since he was required to live in the District.

Resignation

One week after Geldart was placed on leave, Bowser announced his resignation, stating, "I'm saddened to say that I have accepted the resignation of Deputy Mayor Chris Geldart." She did not indicate whether the 53-year-old's resignation was volunteered or requested.

Bowser stated that she was proud of the work they had done together over the past eight years and that she was "immensely grateful to Chris for his service to the city. Chris has been a very capable and effective public servant."

Bowser added, "We both agree that the focus should be on the big issues affecting D.C.."

As to which particular scandal weighed more heavily in prompting Geldart's exit, the Democrat mayor would not say, indicating only that "all of the questions being raised are distracting from his job and my job."

Until a replacement is appointed, City Administrator Kevin Donahue, who confirmed he has lived in D.C. since 1990, will lead the office of deputy mayor for public safety and justice.

Day-tripping

The police report concerning Geldart's alleged assault listed the former deputy mayor's address beyond the Potomac in Falls Church, Virginia, where he reportedly lives with his family. Geldart also rents an apartment in southeast D.C., where he is registered to vote and pay income taxes.

WRC-TV noted it is unclear how much time Geldart spends at either residence.

The Code of the District of Columbia (§ 1–515.03) requires that an individual appointed to a position such as formerly held by Geldart "shall become a District resident within 180 days after appointment." Failing to "remain a District resident for the duration of the individual's appointment shall forfeit the individual's District government employment."

When pressed on whether living remotely while only renting in the District is "in the spirit of the law," Bowser told reporters, "We don't have a requirement that people own a home. They can rent a home. Many people in D.C. rent homes."

Bowser confirmed last week that she had not given Geldart any hardship waiver or reviewed one that would allow him to live outside the city in which he governs.

The Washington City Paper highlighted how, in documents pertaining to Geldart's nomination to the role of director of the Department of Public Works in 2019, the address provided was in D.C.'s Ward 6, in the heart of the city.

From public safety and justice to assault and battery

Around 12:25 p.m. on Saturday, October 1, outside Gold's Gym in Arlington, Virginia, Geldart allegedly got into a verbal confrontation with a smaller man, Dustin Woodard. Woodard works as a trainer at the gym.

The fracas began after the door of the deputy mayor's parked car allegedly struck a vehicle belonging to Woodard's girlfriend. The situation escalated, and Geldart allegedly seized the victim by the throat.

The interaction can be seen in the footage obtained by WTTG.

DC Deputy Mayor charged with assault and battery after gym parking lot altercation | FOX 5 DCwww.youtube.com

Geldart subsequently drove away. He was later informed over the phone of a warrant pertaining to assault and battery charges and turned himself in.

After being charged accordingly and released on summons, Geldart was placed on administrative leave.

Bowser's office downplayed the alleged assault in an October 5 statement, suggesting it "sounds like something that happens to a lot of people — a dispute over something minor."

Bowser has since indicated that while the cause of the dispute (i.e., a "door ding") was "minor," the resulting escalation was "serious."

Woodard told WTTG that Geldart is "way too big to be trying to be a bully, especially with his position. Something should be done."

"We've been dealing with him for a while at Gold's," said Woodard, alluding to multiple other instances in which the deputy mayor allegedly abused his power at the gym.

Woodard also told WUSA9 that while it was prudent to "show some compassion for him in this matter," what Geldart did "was wrong and shouldn't go unpunished."

Geldart has served as deputy mayor since January 2021. He was previously director of the Department of Public Works, though resigned from the post shortly after the office of the inspector general issued a report claiming he had committed two ethics violations, including having used his government office to benefit a "close personal acquaintance."

In 2017, four Bowser-appointed members of the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability dismissed a formal investigation into Geldart regarding potential ethics violations, having found "there was insufficient evidence to support a reasonable belief that a violation occurred."