OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The president of Omaha firefighters union accused of assaulting a woman at a bar in November has pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges in the case.
The Omaha World-Herald reports that 49-year-old Steve LeClair entered the pleas Thursday to misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but acknowledges that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict. LeClair faces up to six months in jail when he’s sentenced June 13.
Police investigated after a woman accused LeClair of punching her in her back when she ignored his sexually-charged comments and asked him to leave her alone. The woman, who is black, also says LeClair whispered the words “white power” in her ear before hitting her. LeClair has denied the allegations, but his attorney on Thursday said LeClair elbowed the woman, adding, “It was kind of like a nudge. She obviously felt it was harder than that.”
LeClair was fired from the fire department in February.