Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh is defending his online actions after being accused of bullying on Twitter.
"I am many things, but bully I am not," says Pugh. "I'm the nicest guy I know and I'm sticking to that."
On Saturday, a Detroit News columnist shared her thoughts on how Pugh recently dropped 60 pounds and released a series of YouTube videos on how he did it. Readers were quick to comment, including Josh Sidorowicz, who tweeted: "Wow, love this little piece. Too bad @Charles_Pugh has been such a disappointment to the city of Detroit so far."
Pugh noticed the tweet and did not skip a beat. He replied to Sidorowicz by saying, "yes, a huge disappointment. Just a downright loser. LOL."
The barbs went back and forth between Pugh and Sidorowicz, who interns at Automotive News. At one point, Pugh tweeted the auto journal asking officials to have a word with Sidorowicz. (See the entire exchange in the gallery below)
"If I have interns in my office who are on Twitter or Facebook attacking people, I'd want to know," said Pugh. "He's saying that I got a personal agenda and that I'm a disappointment. What does that mean? Just simply give some clarity to that. That's the whole reason I kept back and forth with him. I have a right to defend the hard work that I'm very proud of."
FOX 2 reached out to Sidorowicz for comment, but he declined to go on camera.
"I'm going to continue responding to people the way I see fit," says Pugh. "I'm am so not a bully, but when people says things that I think are offensive, you know, you respond."
Officials at Automotive News would not comment on this story either. They do, however, tell FOX 2 that Josh is great intern and still works for the company.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:38:44 GMT
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:29 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:29:11 GMT
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:46:58 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:26:33 GMT
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:54:19 GMT
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:44 GMT
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh
