The alleged incident occurred Nov. 12, the day Slaten was fired from his on-air position at KFNS AM-590 sports radio in Webster Groves. According to Lt. Andy Miller of the Webster Groves police, Slaten became agitated after being dismissed and verbally threatened KFNS employee Scott Stoudt and then spit on him.
No one was injured and Slaten was not arrested at the time of the incident, Miller said.
Miller said police responded to a "keep the peace" call from the station about 2 p.m. on Nov. 12. Miller said the complaint alleges that "after (Slaten's) termination of employment, there was a flare of tempers that led to verbal threats, profane language, and the allegation that (Stoudt) was spit on."
Slaten, 58, of St. Charles County, turned himself in to Webster Groves police on Monday. He was issued a summons and released on his own recognizance, promising to appear in Webster Groves municipal court at 6 p.m. Jan. 23, Miller said, adding that Slaten was "cordial" and "polite" in his dealing with police.
Slaten is no stranger to allegations of physical violence:
• In early 1981, when Slaten was the public-address announcer for the St. Louis Steamers indoor soccer team, he was fined by the league for taking a swing at an opposing player who was entering the penalty box. Later, Slaten admitted he was wrong for swinging at the player.
• Later in 1981, Slaten was arrested after an altercation with a Florissant policeman after a Fourth of July weekend fireworks show at the Civic Center. Police alleged that Slaten refused to heed an officer's traffic directions, then struck at him and scuffled with him.
• In 1994, Slaten was arrested after a scuffle with his wife and another woman outside the Trainwreck Saloon in Rock Hill. Witnesses said Slaten grabbed one woman by the arm and pulled her outside, then moments later put both hands around the throat of the other woman. Slaten's wife and the other woman later dropped their charges.
No one was injured and Slaten was not arrested at the time of the incident, Miller said.
Miller said that if convicted, Slaten faces a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. He added that convictions on such charges often require that the defendant attend anger management classes.
• In 1993, Slaten was found guilty of both felony and misdemeanor assault for attacking a couple outside The Arena after a Blues hockey game. After a minor auto accident, Slaten forced open the door of the other driver's car and punched him in the face and chest, then hit a woman on the jaw when she tried to intervene. Slaten was placed on two years' probation. In a subsequent civil suit, Slaten was ordered to pay $130,000.
• In 2006, Slaten was the subject of a police investigation into a fight that took place at the Dubliner pub in downtown St. Louis while Slaten was doing a remote broadcast for KFNS. A patron alleged that Slaten struck him in the face after the two quarreled about sports. Slaten countered that the man initiated the confrontation by pushing him. No charges were ever filed.
