ATTORNEY GENERAL FILES CIVIL RIGHTS CASE IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY

June 22, 2001

JUNE 22, 2001

CONTACT: Francis Ackerman, Assistant Attorney General 207-626-8800

The Maine Attorney General's Office has filed an enforcement action under the Maine Civil Rights Act against Tia DiBiase, 18, of Scarborough, and Michael Fearon, 21, of Portland, for making anti-Semitic threats against a young woman. The matter was investigated by the Scarborough Police Department and the Attorney General's Office.

The Complaint alleges that on March 17, 2001, Tia DiBiase and Michael Fearon placed a telephone call to the victim's residence, and made obscene threats of violence laced with anti-Semitic slurs.

The Superior Court in Cumberland County will hold a hearing on the case, probably within the next few months. The Attorney General expressed his appreciation for the investigation conducted by the Scarborough Police Department.