FIRST ON 3: Controversial former senator R.C. Soles accused of assault again

TABOR CITY, NC (WWAY) — A client of R.C. Soles says the former state senator slapped him in the mouth and beat him with a cane.

Michael Scott says he went to the magistrate to take out a warrant on Soles, but was told by the magistrate that he had to get a police report. Scott says he then went to the Tabor City Police Department and spoke with investigators.

Tabor City Police Chief Donald Dowless says Scott told investigators he went to R.C. Soles’s office Wednesday to get money to pay his rent, but Soles told him he did not have the money. Chief Dowless says Scott then told Soles he was fired and grabbed his files from Soles’s desk.

Scott then told police Soles grabbed him by the throat, pushed him against the wall and then smacked him in the mouth and busted his lip. According to police Scott says Soles tripped over a phone cord, and when he went to help the former senator up, Soles grabbed a cane and beat him across the back.

Chief Dowless says investigators took photos of Scott’s lip and back. His officers also interviewed Soles about the allegations.

This morning, Dowless says, investigators are meeting with the District Attorney’s Office to determine whether charges should be filed.

This is just the latest in a long line of allegations against the former senator. For years, he has been embroiled in controversy over shootings and assaults regarding former clients, as well as accusations of molestation. Soles, the longest serving member in the history of the North Carolina General Assembly, decided not to run for reelection in 2010, as controversy plagued him.

WWAY left a message with Soles’s office about these latest allegations. We have not yet gotten a call back.