Ready calls Brinkley issue a ‘personal matter’ as details of domestic disturbance surface

Justin Ready, the executive director of the Maryland Republican Party, told PolitickerMD.com today that the controversy surrounding Senate Minority Leader David Brinkley (R-New Market) is a "personal matter between Sen. Brinkley and his family and that's all we are going to say about it."

"At this point we wish Sen. Brinkley and his family the best as they deal with a personal situation," Ready said.

Details of the May 30 domestic disturbance at Brinkley's home emerged over the weekend through a police report obtained by reporter Meg Bernhardt of the Frederick-News Post, where Brinkley is referred to as "the victim in this incident."

According to the report, the senator informed Frederick County Sheriff's Deputy Orion Rustin that he arrived home on the night in question and his wife, Sallie, had locked herself in their bedroom.

Mrs. Brinkley emerged and slapped her husband in the neck in an argument over marital issues, according to the report.

The senator said he then called 911 and his wife attempted to grab his hands to use them to hit herself in the face.

Sallie Brinkley accused her husband of hitting her in the face before she ran to call 911. She told Rustin he then grabbed her around the neck while she was on the phone, at which time she bit him in self defense.

According to the report, there were no signs of visible injury on either Sen. or Mrs. Brinkley.

The Frederick County Sheriff's Department confirmed to PolitickerMD.com Friday that there was no arrest or criminal charges filed in the case.

Asked how the controversy was different than that of the one surrounding state Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-District Heights), Ready said, "Sen. Currie is under investigation by the FBI on suspicion of corruption."

"It's apples and oranges," Ready added. "There's a difference between corruption and a personal matter."

Maryland Republican Party Chairman Jim Pelura called on Currie to step down from his leadership position as Senate and Budget Taxation Committee chair one-day after Currie's home was raided by the FBI in a matter thought to be related to his consulting work with the Lanham-based Shoppers Food and Pharmacy.

Pelura could not be reached for immediate comment, today.