On January 28, 2020, Craig Peirce Tweney was convicted of assault in the fourth degree for his attack on Mayor Jimmy Matta in 2018. He was given a deferred sentence with the following conditions: within 60 days the defendant must make a $750 donation to the Seattle chapter of the Anti-Defamation League, pay $756 in restitution to Jimmy Matta, file proof of an alcohol assessment and completion of recommended treatment, pay a $500 Victim Penalty Assessment, and have no criminal law violations and no contact with Mayor Matta for 24 months outside of official meetings.
On Saturday, July 21, 2018, Burien Mayor Jimmy Matta was physically and verbally assaulted while attending the Olde Burien Block Party in downtown Burien. Mayor Matta was grabbed by the neck from behind and pushed into a fence by Tweney who was upset with the City of Burien’s Ordinance 651, which states City and Police personnel will not inquire or collect information about a person’s immigration status or religion. He also made statements about Mayor Matta’s Latino heritage. Matta is the first Latino Mayor in the City of Burien’s 27-year history.
Immediately following the incident, Mayor Matta reported the assault to Burien police officers who were present at the event. Burien Police initiated an investigation. The investigation was referred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Department of Justice. The Washington State Attorney General’s Office prosecuted the case.
“I would like to thank the FBI, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Washington State Attorney General for their work in bringing justice on this case,” said Mayor Matta. “Let this bring closure and give us the fortitude to continue to make our democracy work for the benefit of everyone.”
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