EDGEFIELD COUNTY, S.C. () – A resident of Edgefield is voicing her concerns following an alleged assault last month by the county’s tax assessor.

Christie Culbreath recounts how a routine inquiry about tax details unexpectedly turned into a physical altercation. She and her legal counsel are now bringing her narrative into the public eye.

Culbreath captured the incident on her phone, recording the tense exchange that unfolded just before Thanksgiving.

Having spent most of her life in Edgefield, Culbreath remarks that such a confrontation with a man is unprecedented for her.

“Throughout my relationships, I’ve never experienced any form of violence from a male. That’s precisely why I believe this incident should be brought to light,” Culbreath stated.

According to an incident report, Culbreath came to the tax assessor’s office to ask a question about a house she recently bought. 

A front office worker referred her to tax assessor Benjamin “Gerry” Coleman. 

But moments after the conversation started, that’s when Culbreath says Coleman started to act aggressive towards her.

“He denied saying that he was going to give me two years in credit for my taxes. So, as I was going back, I walked in his office, and immediately he started speaking aggressively to me—and that’s when I began to record him. As a taxpayer, I had the right to ask him the questions that I asked,” she added.

Culbreath suffered a black eye and other injuries from the incident. y

Coleman was booked into the Edgefield County Detention Center on December 2nd, facing 3rd degree battery charges.

Culbreath’s attorney, Tyler Bailey, believes the assault was racially motivated. 

“Something went through his head when a black woman is going to pay her taxes. When she had questions regarding her taxes, he felt offended by those questions, and he attacked her. I think the facts in the video speak for themselves,” said Bailey.

Edgefield County Administrator David Caddell confirmed with NewsChannel 6 that Coleman resigned the Monday after the incident occurred.

But, Bailey says more action needs to be taken by county leadership.

“It’s completely uncalled for for a public official to attack a citizen when they’re exercising their fundamental duties. I think this is a moment where Edgefield County leadership should speak up publicly, disavow what happened, but also affirm citizens. I think this is not a minor incident, and when moments come up like this, public officials have a duty to the people they serve. Citizens should feel safe,” Bailey said.

Culbreath says part of her next steps is recovering from what she calls a traumatic experience.

Bailey is now calling on the South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson’s office to investigate Coleman’s conduct to make sure this isn’t the first time.