Crime & Safety

Man Accused of Threatening Foxborough Selectman Over Casino Arraigned

Man arraigned for allegedly threatening the life of Foxborough Selectman Mark Sullivan.

A Foxborough man accused of threatening the life of a local selectman over the Wynn casino proposal was arraigned today in Wrentham District Court.

Michael Viscardi, 40, of 1 Spruce Street in Foxborough, was charged with threatening to commit a crime — to wit, kill. He was ordered held on $5,000 bail by Judge Stephen Ostrach.

The prosecution sought $100,000 bail, citing the facts in the police report and Viscardi's criminal record.

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According to the state, Viscardi spoke with Foxborough Selectman Mark Sullivan on April 15 and became extremely agitated. The state claimed at Viscardi began screaming at Sullivan, saying, if Sullivan did not change his vote, he was a dead man.

The prosecution said, the next day, Sullivan drove down Spruce Street (on which both of the men live) and saw Viscardi wielding a hatchet and looking in his direction.

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The prosecution also cited past assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon and violation of probation charges — as well as connections to other states — as reasons for the high bail recommendation.

Defense attorney Jeffrey Waller, representing Viscardi for the arraignment, said using out of state connections was "outrageous" and suggested a $2,000 bail.

"Mr. Viscardi disputes the allegations," Waller said. "I do note that he's charged with a threat. This is obvious a sensitive issue, and his behavior has been despicable, but there's a question whether this rises to the level of a crime."

Ostrach noted that many of the previous charges mentioned by the prosecution were more than a decade old.

Viscardi's next court date was set for May 17.

Photo courtesy Mike George/The Sun Chronicle


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