A day after being arrested on battery charges, Daytona Beach City Commissioner Robert Gilliland didn't have much to say.

"Come on, you know I'm walking out of my lawyer's office," Gilliland said Monday as he was leaving the Politis & Matovina offices. "Like I said, this is unchartered territory for me. I've never been involved in something like this."

Gilliland's attorney, Michael Politis, is denying the commissioner punched a 66-year-old man early Sunday morning.

Politis wasn't able to speak on camera, but he told News 13 over the phone that Gilliland denies punching Alan Robinson during an altercation that occurred Sunday morning.

"I took the keys out of his car, so he sucker-punched me in the ear and then hit me in the eye on the way back up," Robinson said.

The guard who was manning the tower at the Pelican Bay community called 911 while the two men were arguing outside.

  • 911 operator: "Is it physical ... verbal?"
  • Caller: "Yeah, physical."
  • 911 operator: "I'm sorry, what is it?"
  • Caller: "The guy punched the other guy."

The incident happened around 1 a.m. Sunday, after Robinson and his son returned from Biketoberfest, police said.

They stopped to talk to the guard and were blocking the entrance while Gilliland waited behind them.

After getting inside the gate, Robinson claims Gilliland had alcohol on his breath and was acting belligerent.

Politis claims Gilliland felt threatened by Robinson and that the 66-year-old was the aggressor, not Gilliland.

"Intentionally struck the victim, Alan Robinson, on the right side of the face," the report states.

The guard tower is equipped with cameras, but police haven't confirmed if they were operating the night of the argument. No video has been released yet.

If the cameras were rolling, Politis said they should show Gilliland's innocence.

Gilliland was charged with battery on a person over the age of 65, which is a felony charge. He was arrested and released after posting bond.