Self-proclaimed 'touchy' Utah mayor admits to handcuffing coworker

GRANTSVILLE, Utah (KSTU) -- The mayor of Grantsville has admitted to handcuffing a coworker with a zip-tie, “raising his voice,” and being a “touchy person,” but didn't admit to doing anything wrong.

Mayor Brent Marshall was placed under investigation by the city after a report by the Salt Lake Tribune. The city fought for approximately one year to keep the details of that investigation private.

Investigators interviewed the mayor and 24 witnesses to compile the report. At least 19 of the 24 witnesses reported Marshall would yell or scream at coworkers. At least 13 said Marshall invaded people's personal space or touched them inappropriately, usually on the shoulder.

Rachel Wright, who was the Grantsville City Recorder at the time, said Marshall became irate and pushed her when she reported him for signing a contract without following proper procedure.

“Mayor Marshall put his arms on her shoulders, pushed her back down into the chair and stated, 'You are going to sit here and listen to me because I'm not going to tolerate someone going behind my back and throwing me under the bus.'”

Shauna Kertamus, another Grantsville employee, said Marshall “grabbed (her) wrist and pointed at the chair” to prevent her from leaving his office while someone berated her over the phone.

Kertamus described another incident in which the mayor handcuffed her with a zip-tie, which made her feel “terrible [and] claustrophobic.”

“The Mayor admitted that he did put a Zip Tie handcuffs (sic) around Ms. Kertamus wrists, but insisted that 'it was all in fun, she wanted it done,'” read the report.

Neil Critchlow, a member of the Grantsville City Council, described Marshall as verbally and physically aggressive, unable to control his temper. He said Marshall “forceful placed his arms or hands on Mr. Critchlow's shoulders” and had a “tendency to 'get close to personal space.'”

Marshall told investigators he is a “touchy person” but “didn't realize that was offensive to a lot of people.”

He also admitted he “probably shouldn't have touched (Hurst), but I've been that way all my life.”

The final three pages of the report, which contain the conclusion of the investigation, have been fully redacted. It's unclear what punishment Marshall received, if any.

The Salt Lake Tribune plans to contest the decision to leave the conclusion of the report redacted.

FOX 13 attempted to speak to Marshall on Thursday, but city employees claimed Marshall was “in a meeting” and that they “weren't sure” if he was at City Hall. A few minutes later, FOX 13's Adam Herbets saw Marshall speaking to two men in front of his house.

Marshall quickly ran inside upon seeing FOX 13 and would not answer the door to share his thoughts on the investigation. His two friends got into their trucks and left.