AMITE, La. (AP) — District Attorney Scott Perrilloux has recused his office from the criminal case involving Independence Mayor Michael Ragusa.

Ragusa was booked last month on public intimidation and simple battery counts involving an incident with an Independence police officer. The mayor has maintained his innocence.

Perrilloux told The Advocate on Thursday the officer is a witness in other cases being prosecuted by his office and this case might cause a conflict if his office handled it.

Perrilloux said he has handed the case over to LouisianaAttorney General Buddy Caldwell.

The arrest of Ragusa in September involved an Aug. 6 incident in which Ragusa had words with an officer during a traffic stop involving Ragusa's son.

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