On September 18th, Councilor James Mageau is scheduled to go to trial for his misdemeanor assault on “cameraman” Cliff Vanover. He has pleaded not guilty to the assault. According to the Rhode Island judicial system website, Mageau also had a no contact order issued against him, I guess in regards to Vanover. Can they be in the same room together? His lawyer is out of Providence, Richard G. Sahagian.
The thing is, he was caught on tape knocking the camera out of Vanover’s hands. As an elected official, Mageau has a responsibility to at least not attack citizens in Town Council meetings. I have no idea how in the world he is going to turn a taped assault into “not guilty”. And shame on the judge that lets him get away with it. I guess we will just have to see if Rhode Island politics lives up to its reputation.
-Your Neighbor, Ishmael
August 5, 2008 at 4:00 am
Ms. Sheldon, I am happy to post your comment, but unless you have proof of vandalism, the least you can do is say “allegedly vandalized” and then indicate who made the allegations or who saw the bonehead do it. Please make the changes and resubmit the comment. Otherwise it amounts to a possible false accusation (and I don’t need unemployed jackasses who live with their mothers at 40 years old trying to send me threatening letters-although first they need to find me).
August 6, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Ms. Sheldon, apparently my previous post raised the ire of someone called, “Eat Me Like A Slim Jim”. They were very upset that I deleted your post and called me a coward for removing it (I am pretty sure the owner of that moniker is none other than the individual that your post was referring to and is just looking for a fight).
The fact remains, however, that I will not allow a post that accuses someone of a criminal act unless a formal complaint has been made, their is paperwork/pictures available documenting the act or the person making the claim states that they personally witnessed the act. If any one of these parameters is met, I am somewhat absolved from liability. In truth, I am already absolved from liability, as the courts have indicated, but I would rather be safe than sorry. Once again, if you can provide additional information, I will post your comment. Although I have a feeling it will only make “Eat Me Like a Slim Jim” even angrier.
August 9, 2008 at 11:26 pm
From one fellow blogger to another, be careful with the comments from others. I have caught the one you suspect using rather weird names trying to post inflammatory comments on my blog along with his mother, at least that’s whom the person says they are. He’s a dangerous person whom, I suspect, does his best to try to circumvent the laws.
August 9, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Seems to me that I’ve also read or heard on the news that the Charlestown Police has subpoenaed a taped interview with one of the local television stations where Mr. Mageau admits what he did. If this is true, Mr. Mageau will have a difficult time defending himself and his actions. I hope the judge holds up under the hot-headed pressure that Mr. Mageau can put on someone. No one, especially a public official, has the right to attack another. I’ve heard that there’s a good side to Mr. Mageau but it certainly doesn’t come out when he’s in the public eye.
August 10, 2008 at 10:20 pm
If its the same Richard G. Sahagian then Mageau’s retained the services of the general counsel to the General Assembly. Seems like Mageau’s calling in whatever political favors he can to get out of this one, so don’t rule it out.
http://www.projo.com/cgi-bin/include.pl/extra/generalassembly/paid.htm
Given the longstanding connection between the Judiciary and the General Assembly (the lawyers in the General Assembly use the courts as a Golden Parachute for a cushy job with low hours and nice pension) it wouldn’t surprise me to see a wink and a nod when Mageau’s court date comes.
Mageau’s comments in the paper always make it sound like he’s a victim of partisan attacks. I’m sure he’s playing that up with the Democrats at the Statehouse as we speak. Of course he’s no victim – even the local Democrats want nothing to do with him – but that doesn’t stop him from telling everyone he was Jack Reed’s “District Coordinator” or something like that. He’s just using Reed for his own purposes when he does that – hopefully Reed’s people will tell him they don’t want him associating himself with the good senator anymore.
August 13, 2008 at 3:48 am
I have been on vacation. Please feel confident ! Paperwork will soon be available. m