Mayor, publisher get into fistfight

GALLUP, N.M. (KRQE) - The mayor of Gallup and the publisher of the Gallup Independent got into a fistfight on Wednesday morning outside a Gallup bank, and both say the other started it.

Gallup police are investigating the altercation between Mayor Harry Mendoza and Gallup Independent publisher Bob Zollinger, which began around 11 a.m. Wednesday outside the Pinnacle Bank in downtown Gallup.

"There were punches being thrown and kicking going on," Pinnacle Bank branch director Tommy Haws told News 13. "A couple of our employees went outside and saw that."

Police say both men claim the other started the fight. Mendoza told police that Zollinger started poking him in the chest hitting his pacemaker. Zollinger told police that Mendoza threw the first punch.

"It's kind of a he-said he-said here," Gallup Deputy Police Chief John Allen told News 13.

Zollinger spoke with News 13 Wednesday night.

"He got me in the upper and lower lip," Zollinger said. Zollinger appeared to have a small cut to his left cheek.

Police indicate the fight centered around a series of stories recently published in the Gallup Independent linking Mendoza to the gang rape of a 16-year old girl back in 1948.

"Mr. Zollinger says he has located a victim from an alleged prior rape that he alleges the mayor is involved in," Allen told News 13.

Surveillance video from Pinnacle Bank obtained by News 13 shows the two men hitting each other. There also was a series of exchanges which led each man to chase after the other on separate occasions. The fight lasted about 5 minutes before witnesses broke it up.

Police confirmed Zollinger had injuries to his face. They said Mendoza suffered an injury to one of his hands.

After the fight was broken up, both men left the bank. Both men also called police.

Police spent the day interviewing both men and looking through the surveillance tape. They are looking for people who may have seen the initial exchange.

Mendoza did not return News 13's calls and there was no answer when News 13 knocked on the front door of his Gallup home.

Gallup City Attorney Dave Pederson told News 13 that Mendoza informed him of the altercation. He said the mayor insisted Zollinger started the fight.

"The Mayor has indicated Mr. Zollinger forcefully poked him in the chest with his index finger," Pederson said.

Zollinger denied that claim.

"No, I didn't touch him at all," Zollinger said.

Zollinger told News 13 that Mendoza hasn't answered repeated requests from the Gallup Independent to respond to the rape allegations.

"He's just a thug," Zollinger said. "That's all he is and unfortunately he's our mayor."