Connecticut ping!
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Posted on 06/20/2006 3:16:16 PM PDT by rightgrafix
EAST HARTFORD -- A Manchester Board of Education member is facing criminal charges, including driving under the influence and resisting officers, after his arrest outside the Venus Lounge, an East Hartford strip bar known for prostitution and drug activity, police said.
John M. Rowe, a Democrat elected in November to a three-year term, refused to submit to sobriety tests and threatened recrimination to the officers during his June 2 arrest, police said.
Rowe, 41, of 31 Gerard St., Manchester, was so inebriated that an officer had to hold him up to keep him from falling over during his arrest and fingerprinting, police said.
Rowe would not comment directly on the case Monday because it is pending in Superior Court in Manchester, but said he is seeking treatment for his problems.
"It's been very difficult on my family," said Rowe, who is married and has three children, who are 6, 4 and 2.
Rowe, an insurance fraud investigator and former East Catholic High School track star, said he could not comment on his future with the school board, except that he planned to attend the board's next meeting on July 10.
Ted Cummings, Democratic town chairman, said he supports Rowe.
"People are forgiving if a person who's been involved in an ugly incident as John has shows that he's turning his life around. John wants to reclaim his stature, his reputation. That means a lot to him," said Cummings, who has talked to Rowe since his arrest.
Margaret Hackett, board chairwoman, would not comment.
According to an arrest affidavit, an officer on patrol saw Rowe's car parked in front of the lounge at 1268 Main St. and several men standing outside after it had closed for the night. The club has been the scene of numerous drug and prostitution arrests and a slaying in October that police are investigating.
The affidavit said the officer turned his cruiser around and pulled into a driveway near the lounge. Rowe then pulled his car around and parked in front of the cruiser.
Rowe sat in the car about 10 minutes, apparently unaware that he was blocking the cruiser in the driveway, and opened and closed the window while looking at the men, police said. Rowe honked the car horn and at one point his head dropped as if he were falling asleep.
The affidavit said it looked as if Rowe was waiting for someone from the lounge to approach him for a drug or prostitution transaction, so the officer waited. Rowe then put the car in gear and began backing up in the middle of Main Street, weaving back and forth, before stopping in front of the lounge as the officer activated his emergency lights, police said.
Police approached Rowe and asked him for his license and car registration. Rowe told police he drank six beers and was waiting for a friend, police said.
Officers asked Rowe to get out of the car but he refused and clung to the steering wheel when they tried to pull him out, police said. Rowe struggled and fell to the ground, and when they placed him in the cruiser he said, "I am good friends with Hugo Benettieri [an officer and police spokesman]. You're really going to be sorry. You better watch out."
Benettieri said Monday that he does not know Rowe. "People often say things like he did. It's common for people who have been arrested to drop another officer's name," Benettieri said.
Rowe refused medical treatment for an injury to his nose. His car was towed and impounded.
He is scheduled to appear in court June 28.
Police did a great job, we love 'em
John M. Rowe, a Democrat elected in November to a three-year term, refused to submit to sobriety tests and threatened recrimination to the officers during his June 2 arrest, ...
OMG they labeled him as a Demoncrat.
H3ll is gonna freeze over
A Democrap? Shocked I tell you just Shocked
What's wrong with this guy. Doesn't he realize his last name isn't Kennedy?
OOOOh, a threat of recriminations from a school board member --
I'm going to report you to the principal!!! This is going to be put on your permanent record!!!
He's too drunk to stand up so he punches the cop with his nose.
Connecticut ping!
Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.
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