He’s Peoria, Illinois mayor Jim Ardis, who is really thin skinned:
PEORIA — Police searched a West Bluff house Tuesday and seized phones and computers in an effort to unmask the author of a parody Twitter account that purported to be Mayor Jim Ardis.
[…]
Three people at the home were taken to the Peoria Police Department for questioning. Two other residents were picked up at their places of employment and taken to the station, as well.
The Peoria police chief appears to be kind of a dim bulb as well:
Peoria Police Chief Steve Settingsgaard said officers were investigating the creator of the Twitter account for false impersonation of a public official. The offense is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and up to a year in jail.
[…]
The content of tweets, or entries on the account, ranged from ambiguous to offensive, with repeat references to sex and drugs — and comparisons of Ardis to Toronto Mayor Rob Ford as Ford’s drug use while in office became public.
By about March 10, the bio of the Twitter account was changed to indicate it was a parody account.
Settingsgaard, however, said the intent of the account was not clearly satirical.
Needless to say, there are now a lot more Peoria parody accounts.
More about this incident from Justin Glawe at Vice.
(Hat tip: Hit & Run)
Jack Marshall says
You really need to flag these for Ethics Alarms, Mark. Holy crap. Being Blogger of the Year caries SOME duties, you know…..
Mark Draughn says
What can I say? Normally I get my ideas from you.