May 30—A Scranton firefighter and head coach for the East Scranton Little League punched an assistant coach during a game this month in Dunmore, borough police said Tuesday.
Christopher J. Kohut, of 543 Arthur Ave., was issued a summons last week to appear before Magisterial District Judge Paul J. Ware on June 27 for a preliminary hearing on counts of simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment.
Kohut was placed on paid administrative leave May 22, pending the results of an internal investigation, said Scranton Fire Chief John Judge. Kohut, a Scranton firefighter since September 2002, earns $77,424.26 annually, city records show.
Kohut punched David Carl, an assistant coach, during a game in Dunmore on May 18, officer Robert Grunza wrote in a criminal complaint.
Kohut, Carl told police, made several "negative comments" about the children playing, including Carl's son.
Carl asked Kohut to "take it easy on the kids," Grunza reported. Kohut screamed and swore at Carl and then punched him, police said.
Carl told police he felt "dazed" and believed he briefly lost consciousness, according to the complaint.
Little league officials escorted the two men away from the Dunmore Community Center baseball field.
"He hit me," Carl said, according to a statement another coach gave to police. "I can't believe he hit me."
Attempts to reach Carl and an East Scranton Little League official were unsuccessful Tuesday.
Contact the writer: [email protected], 570-348-9100, x5187; @jkohutTT on Twitter.
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