By Ovetta Wiggins
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, September 21, 2006

A Prince George's County developer has filed a complaint against Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert), accusing Miller of punching him in the jaw as he left a hearing in Upper Marlboro yesterday.

Leo Bruso, president of Land & Commercial Inc. of Upper Marlboro, was standing along the wall of the County Council chamber when he said Miller grabbed his left arm and swung his right fist toward his left jaw.

"It was totally uncalled for," Bruso said.

He would not say whether he and Miller exchanged words before the alleged blow, and he would not comment on whether he and Miller's relationship is strained.

"You'd have to talk to him about why he hit me," Bruso said.

Bruso said the blow was "painful," causing him to have an "automatic reaction to hit [Miller]" back in the face.

The alleged altercation, which took place near the back of the council chamber, did not disturb the hearing.

Bruso said he recorded the complaint with the District Court Commissioner Office, which handles charges filed after the court is closed.

Bruso and Miller were attending a Prince George's County Council committee hearing on a proposal to create a zone that requires 25-acre lots in the rural part of the county.

Both spoke against the bill.

Miller did not return repeated calls for comment.

An official at the Upper Marlboro Regional Booking Facility would not provide any details about the complaint. "We're looking into this situation," said a Commissioner Jones, who refused to provide her first name.