Southeast/ Long Beach : COUNCILWOMAN CHARGED

True story: A Pico Rivera councilwoman was charged with battery after she grabbed a sheaf of papers out of a constituent’s hand.

Margaret Rios, 76, was seated in the City Council chambers June 5, holding papers that belonged to Councilwoman Helen O’Hara.

O’Hara, 33, spied them in Rios’ hand and snatched them back.

The district attorney’s office filed the misdemeanor battery complaint Wednesday, alleging that Rios’ arm was bent back in the struggle, causing a mild sprain. Rios was also bruised around the wrist, according to sheriff’s detective Jeff Lammers.

But O’Hara insists that she never touched Rios. She only grabbed her “personal and confidential” papers back from Rios, who came to the City Council to complain about flooding on her street.

How Rios got the papers is in dispute. She could not be reached for comment.

O’Hara, who is facing a recall campaign and often finds herself on the losing end of 4-1 council votes, said she believes the other council members encouraged Rios to initiate a criminal complaint.

“They’re really out to get me,” O’Hara said.