Winter 1998

Attorney General Gets Consent Decree in Civil Rights Case

In October, 1997, the Attorney General's Office filed a complaint against Josh Cilley and Chris Smith of Princeton alleging that the two men violated the civil rights of certain members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe. The complaint ended with a consent decree against both defendants.

According to the Complaint, both men drove past the home of a Passamaquoddy family in Indian Township yelling derogatory racial slurs at the family. Chris Smith allegedly yelled a threat to burn the house down.

A few days later, the two men were passengers in a car when they drove past a Passamaquoddy woman driving her car in the opposite direction. Josh Cilley allegedly jumped out of the car with a baseball bat and struck and damaged the woman's car. He also allegedly yelled a derogatory racial slur at her.

The Consent Decree prohibits both men from assaulting, threatening, intimidating, coercing or harassing any one on the basis of race, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation. It also prohibits them from damaging any property or communicating in any way with the victims. Violation of the Consent Order will result in a possible jail sentence and fine.

If you believe your civil rights have been violated, call the Civil Rights Unit of the Department of the Attorney General at 626-8844.