A local newspaper publisher was arrested in Mount Vernon and charged with disorderly conduct Friday, police say.

According to authorities, Sam Zherka, the publisher of the Westchester Guardian, was taken into custody after verbally attacking a police officer. Police say the officer refused to let Zherka into a city-run auction of public properties at City Hall because he was late for the event.

?I can tell you he certainly will have his day in court,? says Mount Vernon Police Commissioner David Chong.

Zherka was released without bail. The publisher's attorney says he intends to fight the violation because Zherka's comments were within his constitutional First Amendment rights.