Video of the Burlington County meeting shows Bianchini moving quickly toward resident Michael Sawka as the township’s community development director appealed his termination before the council. The dispute unfolded as some residents objected to the firing and voiced their opposition.

Bianchini said tensions rose after two people in the audience taunted him. He said one made a gesture toward his daughter, prompting him to stand up and approach Sawka. In footage of the incident, Bianchini can be heard shouting a threat as others carry him from the room.

“Was it wrong? Absolutely. Was it justified? Absolutely,” Bianchini said. He added that he would act the same way again and said he did not believe his conduct warranted criminal charges.

Sawka, a part-time lawyer, said he filed a court complaint alleging assault and terroristic threats. He called for Bianchini to resign and leave politics. Sawka said he might reconsider pursuing the complaint if the mayor stepped down.

Bianchini was appointed mayor by the township council earlier this year and is running in November’s election. The township police department had not responded by Thursday to a request for information about whether charges would be filed.