Police just arrested WBRZ reporter Chris Nakamoto for nothing more than asking why the local mayor of White Castle, Louisiana, receives such a high salary.

Nakamoto was investigating a story on this issue Wednesday. But he was promptly put in handcuffs, then escorted to the police department.

Once at the police department, officers wrote him a misdemeanor court summons for his “crime.”

The summons claims the journalist violated statute 14:63, which suggests that he remained at the city property after being forbidden.

But this is public space, and forbidding him from it for investigating a news story is not a legal application of the law.

A local WBRZ video photographer caught the entire situation on video.

CLICK HERE for video of Nakamoto being escorted with his hands behind his back by police officers.

The summons he was given by the police mandates a court appearance in April.

Nakamoto, is the Chief Investigator of the WBRZ Investigative Unit. He was in White Castle to investigate questions about the mayor’s salary.

WBRZ had just submitted a public records request this week, asking how much the mayor makes.

The public records request was what brought Nakamoto to the city hall, in order to check on the records request.

Local WBRZ and WBRZ.com reported that documents obtained by the Investigative Unit prove “that during the week of April 6 until April 19, 2015, Mayor Jermarr Williams earned $20.31 per hour.”

They explain “that’s about $40,000 per year. Later, from November 16 thru the 29th, check registers indicated his salary increased to $24.44; about $51,000. That hourly rate equates to almost a 20 percent raise. WBRZ is told any increase to the mayor’s salary needs to be done by ordinance and the records request was set to show when an ordinance was approved by city council members for the new salary.”

Citizens of White Castle have sued, “claiming Williams and the town clerk refused to produce public records they requested. Friday, a judge ordered the town to produce the records and required the town to pay fees associated with the citizens’ lawsuit.”

The White Castle Police chief refused to comment on the arrest on Tuesday. They mayor’s office also has no comment.

“WBRZ stands by Chief Investigator Chris Nakamoto,” Director of News Lee Polowczuk, stated.  “That’s first and foremost.  The public expects this news organization to ask tough questions and hold the powerful accountable.  Our reporters are not going to be intimidated by public officials when we are getting  you answers.  Station management is looking into all legal remedies regarding this incident.”

(Article by Jackson Marciana)