Baltimore County FOP President Under Investigation

Cole Weston, the president of the , is the subject of an internal investigation after a sedan service driver said the union leader assaulted him and pulled a gun out during the alleged altercation.

Police spokesman Lt. Robert McCullough said Weston, who has not been charged with a crime, has not been suspended pending an investigation by the department's internal affairs division and a review by the county state's attorney.

The alleged incident occurred after Weston arrived at his home in the 100 block of Ford Court in Parkville just before midnight on March 23, McCullough said.

It was then that Weston saw a car that was parked but running. A second man approached the car with money in his hand, McCullough said.

"Sgt. Weston said he became suspicious and approached the car but the two men didn't want to talk to him," McCullough said, adding that Weston and the driver became engaged in some sort of disagreement.

"At some point, Weston feels threatened and pulls his weapon and places it down at his side," McCullough said, adding that everyone interviewed "agrees about this."

The passenger, identified as Sean Manigault, ran off. Weston allegedly "pushes or hits (the driver) with his hand," McCullough said.

Manigault told WBAL TV, which first reported the story, that Weston also pointed the handgun at the driver, who police have identified as Hosseim Taranpisheh.

McCullough said Weston was armed but it is not known if the weapon was his police issued gun.

A medic was called to the scene to treat Taranpisheh. McCullough said there were no visible marks on the driver, who ultimately declined treatment.

Weston, a sergeant, joined the force in 1984.

Weston, because of his role as president of the union representing county police officers, is considered part of the department's administrative staff.

Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger's office is reviewing the case. McCullough said the case will likely be turned over to another jurisdiction for review because Weston's union donates money to political candidates, including Shellenberger.