Dismiss Case Against Tech Guild Activist Who Was Assaulted

A Civil Service Technical Guild judicial hearing Nov. 13 ended in vindication for a union activist who was cleared of all charges related to an altercation during a June meeting.

FRED NEWTON: Exonerated but still aggrieved.

The committee's vote was unanimous in absolving Fred Newton of charges that he had brought the Guild, which is Local 375 of District Council 37, into disrepute by having one of its members arrested for hitting him and stealing his camera during a meeting.

A Political Flashpoint

Accusations have been traded by the local's leadership and dissidents supporting Mr. Newton, the local's public relations chair, who claimed that President Claude Fort and his allies trumped up charges against him.

George Sona, a Tech Guild sergeant at arms, allegedly struck Mr. Newton twice and took away his camera after Mr. Newton photographed Jacqueline Odina, second vice president of Chapter 37, being held back by other members as she lunged at Behrouz Fathi, the president of the union's New York City Transit chapter, during an argument.

Mr. Newton then had Mr. Sona arrested and charged with larceny and attempted assault. This led to an internal countercharge by David Grant, president of Chapter 30, accusing Mr. Newton of "speaking without recognition, taking pictures of specific members of the Body, and the continuous disrespect for officials acting to maintain good order."

Mr. Newton contended that the complaint was in retribution for his bringing the local into public disrepute. He also pointed out that Mr. Grant is a political enemy of his, who had been publicly disciplined by the local after passing out anti-gay material during an executive board meeting that was objected to by Mr. Newton, chair of the Guild's gay and lesbian caucus.

A Biased Judge?

There were two subsequent hearings on the matter, one on Sept. 10 that was adjourned over disagreements about the legality of the charges and a possible conflict of interest on the hearing committee. Michelle Keller, an ally of Mr. Fort's who initially co-signed the complaint filed by Mr. Grant, had appointed herself head of the judicial committee.

The hearing was postponed twice before finally being held last week, this time with Mr. Fort as the committee chair. "Even Claude's loyalists all voted to acquit," said Mr. Newton. "[He] was in charge this time. They realized they'd be setting themselves up for too much backlash."

May Charge Keller

Although the case is seemingly settled, Mr. Sona still has a Dec. 3 court date to attend, and Mr. Newton said he was weighing further legal action, within the union this time. "I think I am going to file charges against Michelle Keller," he said.

Mr. Newton also has raised questions over whether Mr. Sona's legal fees after his arrest were paid by Local 375. "My lawyer's going to send them a bill, saying this is what you owe us, and if you're paying George Sona's bills, you pay my lawyer bills," he said. "If you did not pay George Sona's lawyer bills, send me a notarized statement."