Officials with the City of Bellevue said on Wednesday that City Administrator Dan Berlowitz was placed on administrative leave for an indefinite period of time.
Sarpy County officials said Berlowitz was recently cited for three misdemeanor counts after he poked a dentist in the chest and pushed him at a dental office in Bellevue.
The incident took place Tuesday morning at Dr. Allan Smith's dental office, located in the 1000 block of Lincoln Road.
Smith described the altercation, saying Berlowitz was loud, agitated, and wouldn't leave when staff asked.
"He said he was here on city and personal business," Smith said. "He said, 'You might want to shut that door.' I said, 'No, I'm keeping it open.' Then he yelled, 'I'm telling you, you might want to shut that door!'"
Office staff quickly called Bellevue police, who turned the matter over to Sarpy County Sheriff's deputies, because Berlowitz is the City Administrator.
Smith said Berlowitz's wife had been employed at the dental office until recently.
Smith's security cameras caught part of the exchange between the administrator and Smith.
"He said, 'The county attorney, the mayor, and me are going to shut you down. We're going to bury you like this with his fingers.' That's when I said, 'I don't think so, Dan. And he pushed me back with his hands.'"
Bellevue city officials confirmed Berlowitz was placed on administrative leave June 21. They say his leave is because of a personnel situation.
Smith said he's recently spent millions pumping up his dental practice. He criticized the city for not doing enough.
"Rita Sanders, you need to fire Dan Berlowitz!" Smith said.
