H. Brandt Ayers, the longtime publisher of The Anniston Star, has been accused of assaulting a reporter years ago, according to articles published in the newspaper and the Associated Press. 

Ayers, 82, serves as chairman of The Star’s publishing group, and said in a statement he had some things “I regret.”

The former reporter said the incident happened in the 1970s when Ayers came to her home and spanked her. The other claims from women are similar.

According to the story in The Star, Ayers claimed Wendy Sigal had been out of work due to a psychological ailment and he contacted her physician. 

“I called the doctor and asked what I should do, and he said ‘calm her down,'” Ayers told The Star. He then asked the doctor if spanking would work, and the doctor said yes. Ayers said he did not remember the name of the doctor.