Political adviser charged with domestic battery in Geneva

GENEVA – A Geneva political campaign adviser has been charged with domestic battery after police said they saw him push his wife, according to reports and court records.

Jeffrey N. Ward, 59, of the 100 block of Abbey Lane, Geneva, was charged June 2 with domestic battery making physical contact and domestic battery causing bodily harm, according to court and police records.

Geneva police responded to a car accident at 6:42 p.m. June 1 in the area of 2700 Keslinger Road, which involved Ward’s son, Matthew C. Ward.

While investigating the crash, Jeffrey Ward and his wife arrived, the report stated.

“Jeffrey was immediately confrontational” with the officer, who then called for backup, the report stated.

Jeffrey Ward continued to yell at both officers; one officer told Jeffrey Ward that he was not involved in the accident as his son is an adult, and Jeffrey Ward was advised that he needed “to stop obstructing the investigation with his actions,” the report stated.

An officer asked Jeffrey Ward’s wife how old her son was and when she answered, Jeffrey Ward “pushed her forcefully … with both hands. His hands made contact with her in the area of her right shoulder and lower neck area. The push caused [her] to lose her balance and take a few steps back to her left,” the police report stated.

Jeffrey Ward’s actions were witnessed by both officers, the report stated.

Jeffrey Ward was released on a $7,000 personal recognizance bond and is to appear in court June 22, court records state.

Jeffrey Ward said the incident as described by Geneva police did not occur and that the charges are retaliation by police after he was found not guilty of disorderly conduct charges in 2017.

“There was no domestic battery,” Jeffrey Ward said. “[Get] my wife’s statement [which was] taken on the scene. She describes in it the context of ongoing harassment by Geneva police. … This is another false and malicious charge that will completely fall apart in a court of law. We have filed a speedy trial motion today and I look forward to my day in court. … My wife fully supports me and will be testifying for me – not Geneva police – and she did not and would not sign the complaint.”

In the disorderly conduct complaint, Jeffrey Ward was charged with telling a 911 operator that he had a gun when he did not, and said he did so to bring police out more quickly. A judge found him not guilty in 2017 because the state did not make its case.

Jeffrey Ward said he will have Brick Vandersnick and Jeffrey Meyer as his attorneys again in this case.

“My attorneys are convinced this is retaliation for beating them the last time,” Jeffrey Ward said. “This will not stand.”

Geneva police did not respond to a request for comment.

As to his work advising local political campaigns, Jeffrey Ward said he is taking a break from working with Ron Hain’s campaign for Kane County Sheriff in the November election.

“And when I am exonerated, I will come back,” Jeffrey Ward said.

Jeffrey Ward's son Matthew C. Ward was issued a written warning for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, according to a crash report.