Tony Trout Files Civil Complaint Against Councilmember

News Channel 7 has obtained a copy of a complaint filed by Tony Trout today against fellow Greenville County council member Fred Payne, and another complaint that appears to have been filed by Trout against council member Bob Taylor.  The complaint against Payne was confirmed by the Judicial Circuit website; the complaint against Taylor had yet to be posted to the site.  Both complaints are a result of Monday’s committee meeting that Trout was not invited to by the committee members.  In the complaint, Trout claims that the council was having a meeting that he was not “allowed to attend.“  When he entered the door behind councilman Taylor, Taylor turned around and “slammed the door in my face and at the time I pushed it back open.“  Trout then alleges Payne came “under me and got behind Bob Taylor and they both again slammed the door on my arm, causing pain and suffering.“

Trout is asking for a civil judgement of $7,000.00 for “the pain and suffering, doctor bills and the public humiliation.“  News Channel 7 attempted to contact Trout, but he was unavailable.  Council member Payne was unaware of the complaint, and refused comment.  We left messages with councilman Bob Taylor but did not get a returned call. 

We will continue to follow this story, and will post any updates on wspa.com.