TROY – Even when he didn’t attend the meeting, Gary Leifert continued to be a lightning rod for controversy at Troy’s Board of Aldermen meeting last week.

Alderman Rachel Dunard accused Leifert of violating an ethics policy he originally sponsored, stating he called her a “bully” and a member of the “mafia” in a phone call with a third party.

“He’s slanderous about me,” Dunard said. “He’s belligerent. He’s rude … I would like something done, and I would accept a formal apology from this person.”

In an interview with The Journal after the meeting, Leifert said he couldn’t remember the exact wording he used in the conversation and expressed disappointment a private conversation became public.

“The privacy issue is of concern, without my consent to the recording,” he said. “It was a private conversation. It wasn’t a public conversation. Goodness knows, those people talk about me all the time.”

While she declined to publicly release the entirety of the call at this time, Dunard said Leifert accused her of leveraging her position on the park board to get what she wants while also resorting bullying tactics.

Dunard rejected that accusation.

“I do stand my ground and believe in what I believe in,” she said. “But I don’t bully. But I also won’t be bullied.”

Dunard said she also finds it ironic the ethics policy biggest supporter is the one who violated it. However, she added she doesn’t really expect much in terms of a response.

“Do I think anything will come of it? Probably not,” she said. “It just further solidifies and shows that there is no consistency. I just want to know what mafia group is I’m part of quite frankly.”

Leifert, who isn’t seeking re-election in April, indicated Dunard likely won’t be getting an apology.

“She can demand whatever she wants,” he said. “There has to be a provision to provide that and I don’t think it exists.”