Former New Hampshire police officer from Maine, Aaron Goodwin, along with his brother and sister-in-law, are facing accusations of violating the state’s Civil Rights Act by committing a violent assault against a man because he was Black. The incident occurred in November of 2023 at a diner in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where the three individuals allegedly shouted racial slurs at the victim before physically assaulting him. The victim suffered a concussion and other injuries, while bystanders who tried to intervene were also pushed and shoved.
Each violation of the Civil Rights Act carries a maximum fine of $5,000. Goodwin was previously fired from the Portsmouth Police Department in 2015 due to his involvement in an inheritance dispute where a judge determined he breached the department’s code of ethics. He was accused of manipulating an elderly woman with dementia into leaving him her estate, leading to him being stripped of the inheritance.
This recent incident adds to Goodwin’s troubled history and raises concerns about his behavior and actions. The case is currently under investigation by the New Hampshire attorney general, and further action may be taken based on the findings. Goodwin’s past actions and the seriousness of the recent allegations have sparked outrage and condemnation, highlighting the ongoing issue of racial discrimination and violence in society.
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