Sen. Tom Whatley was arrested and charged with third degree domestic violence in Auburn on Tuesday, Dec 9.
The Auburn Police Division arrested Whatley at his home and he was held in the Lee County Jail for a mandatory 12-hour period.
Whatley posted a $500 bond and released Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Whatley and his fiancee, Lindsay Waits, issued a statement through their lawyer Don Eddins.
"Unfortunately, I was arrested last night on a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence," Whatley said in the statement. "I would like to assure the citizens of Senate District 27 that I was not violent with my fiance (sic), Lindsay Waits."
Eddins said police were behind Whatley's house investigating a report of a homeless person when they heard Whatley and Waits "involved in a discussion."
"I cannot state enough what a warm, loving relationship Tom and I enjoy," Waits said in the statement. "Neither would ever hurt the other, and I consider this matter this matter to have been a misunderstanding."
The Auburn Police Division issued a statement that their policy is not to comment on allegations or charges related to domestic matters.
Whatley represents parts of Lee, Russell and Tallapoosa counties in the Alabama Senate and was re-elected in November to a second term.
Whatley, who is an attorney, also serves in the Alabama Army National Guard as Battalion Commander of the 167th Special Troops Battalion, according to his website.
Third degree domestic violence is a Class A misdemeanor, the highest level of misdemeanor, according to the Alabama state code.
Read Whatley and Waits' full statement below:
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