Former ISU President Charged With Misdemeanor

The ex-president of Illinois State University is facing a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge for an altercation with another former employee.

The McLean County State's Attorney's office said Timothy Flanagan was charged Tuesday, days after he resigned his post at the Normal school.
 
Flanagan resigned Saturday following an investigation after a former grounds crew employee accused him of assault during an argument about the care of the president's lawn at the official university residence. He allegedly yelled insults at employee Patrick Murphy, ISU's former head of grounds, even while inches away from Murphy's face. The incident took place in early December.

State's Attorney Jason Chambers said the Class C Misdemeanor is defined as a knowing act in such an unreasonable manner as to alarm or disturb another or to provoke a breach of the peace.

"It was pretty clear from looking at the reports there were multiple people who were there," he said. "Even some of the people who the yelling was not directed at indicated that they were pretty shook up. A lot of them indicated that they thought it was about to become violent, that it was that intense."

Chambers said he is not initially filing an assault charge because his review of the case tends to indicate the alleged contact between Flanagan and Murphy was incidental.

Flanagan has previously denied any wrongdoing. The Associated Press left a message with his attorney.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail, but most such cases in which there is a guilty verdict result in a fine and court supervision.

Flanagan is set to appear in court April 23.