Blogger involved in altercation with tax collector now claims gay slur was used

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — The longtime tax collector in Seminole County hasn’t been arrested, even though police said they have video evidence of him committing battery.

Moments after cellphone video captured Ray Valdes losing his temper and grabbing blogger Jacob Engels’ phone on Thursday, Engels called 911 to ask for a police investigation.

“He pushed me and then grabbed my cellphone. Took it away from me, and I had to wait for him to give it back to me but he got very aggressive,” Engels said.

But on Monday, Engels made a change to his story, telling police Valdes used a gay slur against him—something no other witnesses to the incident have corroborated.

So Valdes has not been arrested and he was back to work Monday.

The scuffle happened outside Valdes’ office.

Engels recently featured articles on his blog accusing Valdes of abusing his position and of nepotism, while praising Valdes’ opponent, Joel Greenberg.

Greenberg also gave a statement to police about the incident.

Cox Media Group