The arrest of Flagler Beach Commissioner Eric Cooley for domestic violence Friday revealed a longtime abusive relationship between Cooley and his girlfriend of twenty years.
Cooley, 43, was arrested at his home Friday for domestic violence against his girlfriend.
The Flagler County Sheriff's Office stated that a witness tip reporting violence between Cooley and his girlfriend led Flagler Beach Police to begin an investigation into the matter.
Deputies performed an investigation at the 7-Eleven business that Cooley owns at 408 South Ocean Shore Blvd.
The witness said Cooley had kicked and grabbed the throat of his girlfriend, who works with him at the 7-Eleven, on two separate occasions.
Both incidents were confirmed by the girlfriend along with multiple other reports of violence to her by the defendant on numerous occasions, FCSO reports.
Further investigation into the matter revealed a longtime abusive relationship between Cooley and his girlfriend.
"This is an unfortunate situation but it goes to show you that domestic violence has no boundaries," Sheriff Rick Staly said.
Cooley has been booked into the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and is being held without bond.