A Rhode Island police officer who is also running for office was placed on administrative leave after he allegedly assaulted a political opponent during a pro-abortion rally.
The Providence Police Department confirmed that officer Jeann Lugo, who is running as a Republican for state Senate, was placed on administrative leave Saturday morning after an altercation that occurred Friday night, WPRI-TV reported.
"The PPD is criminally investigating the behavior of an off duty officer last evening during a protest where a female was assaulted," Providence police tweeted. "The officer has served for 3 yrs and placed on administrative leave w/pay this morning, pending a criminal investigation and administrative review.
On Saturday, Providence police confirmed Lugo, who was off-duty at the time, as the officer in question.
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Lugo was not placed under arrest on Friday night, but police told Fox News Digital in a statement Saturday evening that he has been charged with simple assault and disorderly conduct.
Jennifer Rourke, one of Lugo’s political opponents, alleges that he attacked her during a brawl as hundreds gathered at the Rhode Island State House to protest the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
"This is what it is to be a Black woman running for office," Rourke posted on Twitter along with a video from the altercation originally posted by journalist Bill Bartholomew. "I won’t give up."
Lugo told WPRI–TV that he was "in a situation that no individual should see themselves in" and "stepped in to protect someone that a group of agitators was attacking."
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The Providence Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Lugo tweeted on Saturday that he is no longer running for state Senate and then deactivated his Twitter account.