Charges dismissed against Greene County GOP chairman
Charges against the Greene County Republican Committee’s chairman accused of threatening a woman at a GOP meeting in Waynesburg were dismissed following his preliminary hearing last week.
Clint Blaney appeared Friday before District Judge Lee Watson on misdemeanor charges of terroristic threats and harassment in connection with the Nov. 14, 2023, incident in which he was accused of becoming “aggressive” during a heated exchange with a district legislative aide at the Republican Party’s meeting.
The two misdemeanor charges were downgraded to non-traffic citations of harassment and disorderly conduct during the hearing, both of which Watson then dismissed, according to online court records.
Blaney’s defense attorney, Thomas King III, could not be reached for comment Monday, although he said when Blaney was charged in November that they “vigorously denied” the accusations and would “vindicate his good name and character.”
A legislative aide for state Rep. Bud Cook, R-West Pike Run, attended the party meeting and apparently became upset that a photograph of Stephanie Waggett – who was presumed to be Cook’s opponent in the 2024 Republican primary – appeared in a slideshow and his picture did not. When the aide “expressed her displeasure” about the slideshow, a confrontation ensued between her and Blaney, according to court documents.
After the meeting, Blaney apparently went back to the woman and the heated discussion continued to the point that an audience member intervened and directed Blaney away from the aide, who left the meeting in tears, according to court documents.
A private criminal complaint was filed with Greene County District Attorney Brianna Vanata, who forwarded the information to the Attorney General’s office, which investigated and filed the charges in October. A spokesman with the Attorney General’s office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the dismissal.
Blaney, 73, of Morgan Township, has been the chairman of the Greene County Republican Party since 2023.