Charlotte nonprofit CEO choked woman, busted her lip, arrest warrant says

The CEO of a Charlotte nonprofit was arrested early Friday and charged with assault on a female, according to Mecklenburg County Jail records.

Patrick Graham, 47, is president and CEO of Charlotte Works, a nonprofit focused on workforce development, including getting people ready for careers and connecting businesses with skilled employees.

According to an arrest warrant, Graham placed a woman in a chokehold and hit her in the face, "resulting in a busted lip."

Graham was booked into jail at about 4 a.m. Friday and released 90 minutes later, jail records said.

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police report on the incident is short on details, but it describes a "domestic violence assault" at about 11 p.m. Thursday at a house on Elementary View Drive in north Charlotte. The address of the house matches Graham's address in public records.

The police report said a weapon was not involved in the assault and said the victim and suspect are not part of the same family.

Graham's lawyer, Harold Cogdell Jr., said in a statement that Graham shares custody of a child with the woman.

"Dr. Patrick Graham is deeply disappointed by recent false allegations made to law enforcement," according to the statement.

"Dr. Graham has spent more than 25 years in various leadership roles with community organizations that serve many of our most vulnerable residents. Dr. Graham extends his gratitude to the many family, friends and professional colleagues that have expressed support and encouragement. At this time Dr. Graham remains focused on his family and passion for service while eagerly awaiting his day in court."

A statement from Charlotte Works on Monday said the nonprofit is monitoring the situation.

"The Charlotte Works Board supports a thorough review of the matter and is monitoring the situation to evaluate any appropriate actions, as facts become known," according to the statement.

Graham was president and CEO of the Urban League of Central Carolinas before he took his current job at Charlotte Works in 2016, according to Charlotte Works' website. He was still listed as president and CEO of Charlotte Works on their website as of noon Tuesday.

This story was originally published March 26, 2018 at 1:33 PM with the headline "Charlotte nonprofit CEO choked woman, busted her lip, arrest warrant says."