ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – An Elmira City Councilman, who is also a state parole officer, is facing charges stemming from a bar fight that happened in February in downtown Elmira.

Court records show District 5 Councilman Tory Kitching was charged with assault in the third degree, a misdemeanor, and criminal trespass, a class B misdemeanor, in connection to a fight at WMC North Restaurant & Jazz Club on February 18, 2023. Police say Kitching injured someone during the brawl.

Kitching, who will not be running for reelection this year, declined to comment when asked in March about the incident. 18 News spoke with a witness who says he stepped in to break up the fight after Kitching allegedly attacked the bar owner.

Elmira Police Chief Kristen Thorne confirmed after the incident there was an “altercation which had occurred on Saturday, February 18th around 4:45 p.m. at WMC North restaurant involving a city councilman.”

WETM 18 News reached out to Mr. Kitching’s employer on Wednesday.  A spokesman for the New York State Department of Correction and Community Supervision issued the following statement “Senior Parole Officer Tory Kitching has been suspended without pay during the course of disciplinary proceedings.”

As 18 News reported last month, Mayor Dan Mandell said Kitching will not be running for re-election this year. The Mayor says Kitching made a decision not to run for different reasons, before the alleged assault took place.

Kitching is scheduled to appear in Elmira City Court on Tuesday, April 25 to be arraigned.  If convicted, the maximum sentence is a year in jail plus fines and possible restitution payments to the alleged victim. Kitching’s court appearance was scheduled on the same day that 1st district councilman Nick Grasso will be in court regarding his DWI charge. Councilman Grasso is running for re-election.