[MI] County Commissioner Vaughn can't lose his job if he chokes an ex.

"...he pushed her on the floor and he began to choke her" [the victim's sister said]... It does not appear the allegation would threaten Vaughn's status as a commissioner. He can only be removed from office because of neglect or confinement in a state prison...

Kent County Commissioner arrested on domestic assault charge
WOOD-TV, MI
By Joe LaFurgey
June 17, 2008
Kent County Commissioner James Vaughn was arrested by Grand Rapids police Tuesday morning and booked on a domestic assault charge. He was released in the afternoon. The victim's sister told 24 Hour News 8 Vaughn and her sister had an on-again, off-again relationship for the past four years. They had broken up, but the victim was helping Vaughn prepare for the funeral for his brother... Another woman arrived at the home, and the victim and second woman got into a fight. The victim allegedly threw a vase after she was allegedly pushed to the ground by the second woman... [The victim's sister, FJ] said the second woman began cutting her sister with pieces of the vase. That is when [FJ] claims Vaughn got involved. "The second time, she must have fallen on the floor or he pushed her on the floor and he began to choke her"... Despite her wounds from the alleged slashing, [FJ] said Vaughn drove her sister home instead of taking her to a hospital. It was [FJ] who eventually took her sister to get medical help. [FJ] said while this is the first evidence of any physical violence, she claims there was emotional abuse between Vaughn and her sister. "I'm so tired of her being hurt, ya know? 'Cause he could have just left her alone. But he kept sucking her in," said Johnson... Vaughn represents the 17th County Commission District , which includes a large portion of the city of Grand Rapids. [Full article here]

Kent County Commissioner James Vaughn charged with domestic assault
The Grand Rapids Press
Ken Kolker and Nate Reens
June 17, 2008
A Kent County Commissioner arrested Tuesday for an alleged domestic assault was later released from jail pending further investigation by police. James Vaughn, who has represented Southeast Grand Rapids in the county's 17th District since 2000, is accused of attacking a girlfriend, 46-year-old [IC], inside his 1288 Cambridge Drive house about 1 a.m., police and the victim's family said. Vaughn, 65, has not been formally charged with a crime but was booked at the Kent County Jail on a misdemeanor domestic assault offense, jail officials said. He was released about six hours after he was brought into the lockup, authorities said. [JB], a brother of [IC], said his sister is recovering from a "busted eye" as well as cuts on her arms and an injury to one of her ears. She was treated at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital and may have to undergo surgery... Family members said after a fight inside Vaughn's home, he later drove her to her residence. Once there, the woman's son noticed the injuries and called one of the victim's sisters, who took her to the hospital... [IC] told hospital employees that she did not want to press charges, her sister said. Police interviewed Cross at the hospital, and further investigation is expected. Police searched the home and left with four or five bags of evidence... Neighbors said they have never heard this kind of trouble at the house. One resident said, "As far as neighbors go, he is a really nice man"... It does not appear the allegation would threaten Vaughn's status as a commissioner. He can only be removed from office because of neglect or confinement in a state prison... [Full article here]