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Charge Against Former County Commissioner Dismissed
By: Steve Robb-Athens Messenger staff journalist
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A domestic violence charge against a former Athens County commissioner was dismissed recently in Athens County Municipal Court.
Mark Sullivan, 55, was charged in February with domestic violence against his ex-wife, Tammie Sullivan, accused of shoving her, striking her and pulling her hair. He had pleaded innocent to the charge and requested a jury trial.
The case was dismissed last month after City Prosecutor James Stanley decided not to take it to trial. The reason cited in court papers is that Tammie Sullivan did not wish to pursue the matter. A temporary protection order requiring Mark Sullivan not to have contact with her was lifted.
Mark Sullivan had been arrested by Athens County sheriff’s deputies after a deputy concluded that he was the “primary physical aggressor” during an altercation he had with his ex-wife.
Mark Sullivan denied to deputies that he assaulted Tammie Sullivan. She admitted clawing his face, but said it was in self-defense, according to sheriff’s reports. He claimed that she scratched him without provocation, reports stated.
Reports indicated that Tammie Sullivan had injuries, although descriptions differed. They were referred to in reports as cuts on her lip and knee, but also described as bleeding scratches. Athens County Emergency Medical Service was called to the Millfield Road residence where Tammie Sullivan lived and where the incident occurred, but she declined treatment.
He had been charged previously with domestic violence against her. In 2011, he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of persistent disorderly conduct, but claimed afterward that he only did so because he was trying to save his marriage.
In 2012, he was acquitted of a charge of domestic violence in which he had been accused of head-butting his niece.