An alderman was expelled from the DeKalb City Council at its July 27 meeting for disruptive behavior, after he interrupted testimony about his divisive influence on the council.

Seventh Ward Alderman Mark Powell was ushered off chamber floors by Police Chief Joe Maciejewski after a vote by the council. Testimony presented by businessman John Castle about the alderman’s divisive influence on the council provoked the alderman’s response.

Powell objected to missing the closed executive session after the council meeting and told The Northern Star he took a videotape of the meeting to a U.S. Attorney.

“I was denied my right to speak,” Powell said in July. “It’s a civil rights matter.”

DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow said in July, “We have the ability to provide an orderly meeting. If Powell’s going to continue to be disruptive, he will get expelled. He would have had an opportunity to respond (to Castle’s speech).”

DeKalb Corporate Counsel Rick Turner said, “Section 2.13, subparagraph D of the city code proscribes rules that aldermen by a two-thirds vote may expel an alderman for disorderly conduct. This means the entire meeting.”

In June, Powell requested State’s Attorney Philip DiMarzio to investigate the city’s contract with a local computer firm. DiMarzio said July 8 he found no conflict of interest.