BELINGHAM, Wash. -- The Whatcom County Sheriff's office is investigating an alleged assault on the county assessor. Deputies were called to the County Courthouse Friday. They arrested 55-year-old Lincoln Rutter of Blaine on suspicion of 4th degree assault and intimidating a public servant. Sheriff Bill Elfo says Rutter pulled the assessor's necktie, lifting his feet off the floor. He says Rutter also made threats, and told the assessor he was going to "teach him a lesson." Rutter allegedly became angry after the assessor told him it would take "some time" to respond to a document request. He was still present at the courthouse when deputies arrived. Rutter was booked into the Whatcom County Jail.
