Garofalo attacked, Surf City man arrested

Paul Clinton

A Huntington Beach man has been released on bail, after allegedly

assaulting former mayor Dave Garofalo in a local Mexican restaurant.

The Orange County district attorney is mulling over which charges to

file against 48-year-old Gregory Middlesworth.

At about 9:30 p.m. on May 10, Middlesworth approached Garofalo as he

sat on a bar stool at Mario’s Restaurant, police said.

“Mr. Garofalo was involved in a verbal confrontation,” Sgt. Gary Meza

said.

Middlesworth allegedly called Garofalo an obscene name, then punched

him in the head. Garofalo lost consciousness and fell to the floor.

Paramedics arrived at the restaurant, revived Garofalo and took him to

Huntington Beach Hospital for treatment.

Middlesworth was arrested that same night in a parking lot across the

street from the restaurant.

Police said it was not immediately clear why Middlesworth attacked the

former mayor.

Garofalo resigned from the City Council in late December, before

pleading guilty to conflict of interest charges. On Jan. 10, he admitted

to repeatedly voting on issues involving companies who bought ads in his

publishing business.

The council appointed former mayor Grace Winchell to fill his vacant

seat on Feb. 2.