With the underlying events of this past weekend, the issues at hand are ones I am taking very seriously. I have taken steps to address my personal issues and will act accordingly. No one is perfect and every marriage of relationship has its ups and downs. While this event has clearly presented a challenge in our lives, I am committed to weathering this storm and to work with my family on our relationship. I ask for your consideration and compassion, for while I have chosen to often live a public life, my family has not. Although some statements and allegations printed are not accurate, on the advice of counsel and for the sake of my family, I will not comment at this time. Temporarily, I will step aside as I focus on my personal and family issues. Our vice chair will conduct the business of this evening.
Gene Eriquez stepped aside Wednesday night as the leader of the city’s Democratic Party to focus on personal and legal problems surrounding the domestic violence charge against him.
“The issues at hand are ones that I am taking very seriously,” the 63-year-old former mayor told 50 people at Democratic Town Committee headquarters on Main Street.
“I have taken steps to address my personal issues and will act accordingly,” Eriquez read from a prepared statement. “Temporarily, I will step aside as I focus on my personal and family issues.”
His statement drew a short applause from Democratic Town Committee members and people in the audience — a reflection of the support he enjoys, tempered with concern for the seriousness of the charge.
Eriquez then left the building, declining to say anything more.
[...]
While there was nothing contrite or emotional about Eriquez’s written statement, he did pause to collect his composure after he read “Every marriage or relationship has its ups and downs.”
He then repeated what his lawyer told the judge in court on Monday about wanting to reconcile with his wife.
“While this event has clearly presented a challenge in our lives, I am committed to weathering this storm, and to work with my family on our relationship,” Eriquez read.
Eriquez is accused of punching his wife in the face after an argument escalated into a fight, the police report said. He is accused of kicking the victim in the back, striking her with a kitchen bowl, slapping the side of her head, pushing her down the hallway, and tripping her on steps, police said.
Once during the struggle, he chased his wife down and threw her cell phone to prevent her from calling 911, police said. The victim was later able to lock herself in a bedroom and call for help, according to the report.
In addition to the assault charge, Eriquez was charged with interfering with an emergency call and disorderly conduct — both misdemeanors.
He was too drunk to give a statement at the scene, according to police.
Eriquez’s statement hinted that he had not yet told his side of the story, although it did not elaborate.
“Although some statements and allegations printed are not accurate, on the advice of counsel, and for the sake of my family, I will not comment at this time,” he read.
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On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
The amended complaint states that plaintiffs sought to remedy the continued discriminatory and unauthorized enforcement of federal immigration laws against the Latino residents of the City of Danbury by Danbury's mayor and its police department.
Plaintiffs allege that the arrests violated their Fourth Amendment rights and the Connecticut Constitution because defendants conducted the arrests without valid warrants, in the absence of exigent circumstances, and without probable cause to believe that plaintiffs were engaged in unlawful activity. In addition, plaintiffs allege that defendants improperly stopped, detained, investigated, searched and arrested plaintiffs. Plaintiffs also allege that defendants violated their Fourteenth Amendment rights when they intentionally targeted plaintiffs, and arrested and detained them on the basis of their race, ethnicity and perceived national origin. Plaintiffs raise First Amendment, Due Process and tort claims.
Plaintiffs request declaratory relief, damages and attorneys fees.
On September 26, 2007, ten plaintiffs filed suit in response to an arrest of aday laborers at a public park in Danbury, Connecticut. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on November 26, 2007.
