Kyle Wood, a campaign worker for the Republican congressional candidate Chad Lee, today recanted his statements about being assaulted and choked at his home on Oct. 24, according to Madison police.
The department updated its incident report late Monday afternoon after Wood met with detectives.
Captain Joe Balles, commander of the South District, confirms that Wood recanted his allegations of the beating.
Although he would not go into detail about the case, Balles said, "I updated that press release because I felt it was imperative we get something out there because of the politically charged background this was happening in."
He said that the department will do its "due diligence" and discuss with the district attorney's office whether any charges will be filed against Wood.
"We're in the victims business," he says. "We really need victims to come forward. We don't take matters like this lightly."
Earlier Monday afternoon, a spokesman for Rep. Mark Pocan and an attorney representing his partner, Philip Frank, said they were considering suing for libel over claims that Frank threatened Wood.
Pocan is running against Lee for the 2nd Congressional District seat being vacated by Tammy Baldwin, who is running for U.S. Senate.
Wood, who is gay, originally claimed he was attacked because of his politics and sexual orientation.
You probably remember this, as it got some minor attention from the media and the typical "GAAAH! LIBERAL THUGS!!! RUN!!" attention from the rightwing blogosphere. No word on whether he carved a backwards B into his cheek.
