Proven Innocent? Not so Fast....

Proclamations of “innocence?” Demands for apologies? Insisting it was “all Ragucci’s fault!”

Who does this guy think he’s kidding?

Instead of thanking his lucky stars that his attorney found a judge willing to slap him with a wet noodle for his indictment on receiving stolen property (the air conditioners), thereby allowing him to keep his pension - leave it to Fred Foresteire to go on the offensive, proclaim his “innocence,” and demand an apology. While our three local papers (sorry, we can’t call them newspapers any more) have more or less suggested that our “superintendent of fools,” (the school committee) was found “innocent” – the fact remains that Mr. Foresteire was not found innocent by Judge Paul Chernoff. Mr. Foresteire pleaded to “sufficient facts” that a guilty plea could be obtained by the facts presented. He was fined $2,090 in court costs. While the charges will be dropped in a year if Mr. Foresteire doesn't experience any additional legal problems, that year is considered a probationary period. The implication: rather than innocent, Foresteire was "in trouble." Bottom line: "sufficient facts" do not translate to innocence. Neither does continuing the case for a year with the stipulation that the defendent stay out of trouble.

And what our local newspapers, particularly today's Independent, which takes the Boston Globe to task for "faulty reporting", fail to point out is that this is not the first time evidence has been presented indicating that our Superintendent can be "ethically challenged" from time to time. As the Globe reported, the Superintendent has been sanctioned in the past by the State Ethics Commission for improper use of school services and personnel.

As for School Committee member, David Ela, we hope someone gets him into a twelve-step program for recovering Kool-aid drinkers. Consider this quote: “I consider the superintendent innocent on all counts?” Please, Mr. Ela – get some help. Take Alconada with you.

If you want to read a reasonably factual story of Fred’s Day in Court, don’t read the local press. Try this:

From the Boston Globe October 15, 2006

Educators Case Splits Parents