Kraft/Wynn: You own this!

Kraft/Wynn inflame passions, circulate unsubstantiated comments by funding a PR group and then disclaim ownership of the consequences they have wrought?

YOU own this and it's time to tame the monster you've caused.

Casino Supporter Charged With Threatening To Kill Foxboro Selectman
April 17, 2012

FOXBORO (CBS) – A Foxboro man is charged with threatening to kill a town selectman over the issue of a proposed casino in the town.

Prosecutor Matt Freedell said Michael Viscardi threatened to kill Foxboro Selectman Mark Sullivan, who lives just down the street, because Sullivan opposes the proposed casino.

Viscardi, who is a casino supporter, allegedly told Sullivan that he was a “dead man” if he didn’t change his casino vote.

Freedell said, “Viscardi was wielding a hatchet while he was driving down the road and looked in the direction of Mr. Sullivan.”

Viscardi who has a criminal record and is in anger management, is being held on $5,000 cash bail. He was ordered to stay 50 yards away from Sullivan’s home and family.

In court, Viscardi loudly objected, saying he walks his dog and fishes at a lake near Sullivan’s house. The judge told him to find somewhere else to walk his dog.

Last month, Las Vegas casino owner Steve Wynn unveiled details of a resort casino he hopes to develop near Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.


Foxboro threat suspect has record of violence
BY DAVID LINTON SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
Tuesday, April 17, 2012

FOXBORO - The union laborer and casino supporter charged with threatening to kill a selectman opposed to the proposed gaming facility has a violent criminal past and is currently in counseling for anger management issues.

Michael Viscardi, 40, of 1 Spruce St., has repeatedly been sent to jail for felony assault convictions and for violating his probation on various charges on his five-page criminal record, a prosecutor said Tuesday in Wrentham District Court.

He is now in jail on $5,000 cash bail for allegedly threatening to kill Selectman Mark Sullivan, who lives on the same street, because of his opposition to the controversial casino proposal.

After confronting Sullivan at home Sunday, according to police, Viscardi allegedly became enraged and told the selectman, "If you don't change your (expletive) vote ... you're a dead man."

The next day, Assistant District Attorney Matthew Friedel said, Sullivan notified police after Viscardi allegedly drove down the street towards him while holding a hatchet.

In addition to setting bail on Viscardi, Judge Stephen Ostrach granted Sullivan a harassment prevention order against Viscardi after hearing that Sullivan feared for his own safety and the safety of his wife and their four children.

Should he post bail, Viscardi was ordered to stay at least 50 yards away from Sullivan's home and workplace and from Sullivan and his family. The order does not prohibit Viscardi from attending Foxboro public meetings where Sullivan is present.

Friedel requested the court order designed to protect the Sullivans, in addition to $100,000 cash bail on Viscardi, citing the defendant's criminal record in Massachusetts, Florida, Virginia and South Carolina and the seriousness of the allegations.

Viscardi's lawyer for the bail hearing, Geoffrey Waller II of West Roxbury, said his client denied he ever threatened Sullivan.

"Mr. Viscardi disputes the allegations," Waller said.

He described his client as a married man who is employed as a union laborer. Viscardi is being treated for depression and is currently in counseling for anger management issues, Waller said.

Friedel said Viscardi was well known to the Foxboro police because of mental health issues and erratic behavior in the past.

In contrast to some criminal defendants who let their lawyers do the talking for them, Viscardi spoke loudly and firmly during the court proceedings, complaining he could not hear well in the prisoner's dock behind the plastic security glass. At times he rocked side to side on his feet.

After the judge asked him whether he had any objection to Sullivan's request for a harassment order, Viscardi answered he did not. "I plan on getting a restraining order against Mr. Sullivan, too," he told Judge Ostrach, whose patience was clearly tested by the defendant.

Viscardi asked the judge to clarify the orders to stay away from Sullivan's home, explaining that he walks his dog by Sullivan's house and fishes in a lake nearby. Ostrach told Viscardi he must stay at least 50 yards away and to walk his dog elsewhere.

"Can you tell his wife...," Viscardi replied before the judge cut him off.

"Sir," Ostrach said, raising his voice.

Viscardi is appealing the judge's bail order in superior court and is due back in court May 17.

"You have a pleasant day, sir," Viscardi told the judge.

Viscardi's wife, Denise, told The Sun Chronicle that she and her husband are active in Jobs For Foxboro, a pro-Foxboro-casino group which is funded by Wynn Resorts through a public relations company. She said the couple attended a Jobs For Foxboro meet-and-greet event in Foxboro last Thursday.

However, Scott Farmelant, spokesman for Jobs for Foxboro, said Michael Viscardi is not a member of Jobs For Foxboro and has not had any active role in the organization.

"Jobs For Foxboro does not condone any illegal or inappropriate acts by resort supporters or opponents," Farmelant said in a statement.

"Since December, Jobs For Foxboro has met with thousands of Foxboro residents to provide fact-based information, answer questions and most importantly, engage in a civil discussion regarding a proposed economic development project that will deliver thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in new tax revenue for Foxboro," he said.


Jobs For Foxboro Issues Statement
Jobs for Foxboro issued the following statement on the arrest of Michael Viscardi, who was arraigned Tuesday on charges of threats he made against Foxborough selectman Mark Sullivan.
By Michael Hardman
April 17, 2012

(A press release from Jobs for Foxboro spokesman Scott Farmelant on the arrest of Michael Viscardi, who was arraigned Tuesday for making death threats against Foxborough selectmen Mark Sullivan. Viscardi was held on $5,000 after his arraignment in Wrentham District Court this morning.)

Jobs For Foxboro does not condone any illegal or inappropriate acts by resort supporters or opponents. Since December, Jobs For Foxboro has met with thousands of Foxboro residents to provide fact-based information, answer questions and most importantly, engage in a civil discussion regarding a proposed economic development project that will deliver thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in new tax revenue for Foxboro.

Please note that the man who was arrested on April 16 is not a member of Jobs For Foxboro and has not had any active role in the organization.