Quincy official and Norfolk County commissioner and former Quincy City Councillor avoids charges

– News covered by Quincy Quarry News with commentary added.

 

Alleged sucker punching Plymouth County Commissioner
A Plymouth County official mugshot

Quincy official and Plymouth County commissioner and former Quincy City Councillor avoids charges in private courts hearings in recent months, reports the Boston broadsheet’s Spotlight investigation team.

 

The broadsheet has declared war on Massachusetts’ unique behind closed doors and off the record private and so-called “show cause” hearings administered by clerk magistrate and assistant clerk magistrates, many of whom do not have law college degrees, much less law degrees.

 

As if this should surprise anyone who has but the most modest of understandings as to how things are done in the Commonwealth.

 

Erin go beer!
A Patriot Ledger file photo

In any even, in the broadsheet’s latest installment, it focused on how a purportedly drunken Plymouth County County Commissioner dodged felony special circumstances criminal charges for sucker punching a senior citizen.

 

The sucker punching occurred at the Quincy Elks Lodge while the county commisioner was widely rumored to have continued to drink at the lodge after it hosted mostly Quincy local politicians’ idea of a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon and roast last spring. 

 

Courthouse cone of silence
A Talent Associates image

In otherwords, quelle surprise.

 

Technically, while Quincy District Court did not release hearing transcripts as none were recorded or open up sealed court records as is the court’s prerogative, the court is not to be criticized as there is every reason to assume that the allegedly drunk sucker punching Plymouth County Commissioner provided a cash settlement to his victim and who then in turn withdrew his criminal complaint.

 

While the Massachusetts courts system has issued a directive encouraging release of information on cases involving prominent government officials for reasons obvious, the Quarry finds it sufficient punishment that the alleged sucker punching perp sufferred both a Page One and above the fold exposé as well as also a probably low five figure hit to his wallet to buy off the vic. 

 

That and who only knows in the way of legal expenses.

 

Another recent brooming of charges is more of a head scratcher, however.

 

Do you know who I am?
An old MassDOT photo

An othewise always gracious and arguably the most capable professional in the Koch Maladministration going away apparently ended up involved in a “do you know who I am” meets road rage incident in Quincy Center that resulted in apparently multiple violations citations issued by an MBTA police officer. 

 

While the cited violations were no more serious than driving five miles per hour over the posted limit on a major thoroughfare, the Quarry can certainly understand how everyone is beyond fed-up after years of construction-caused traffic disruption in Quincy Center.

 

Plus, reports suggest that the offender subsequently apologized to the MBTA officer, they then shook hands, and all was then forgiven.

 

On the hand, as Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch is the longtime Chair of the MBTA Advisory Board, making a few calls is not outside of the realm of possibility.

Source: County commissioner, Quincy official avoid charges at confidential court hearings – The Boston Globe

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