Politics & Government
Hassan Supports AG Review of Nashua Duck Flap
What really happened after five ducks were killed by a state rep at the Crowne Plaza Hotel?
A Nashua State Rep and longtime police commissioner remain at the center of a controversial incident Dec. 23 involving five dead ducks. Now, some ethical questions are being raised about how the two men handled the situation.
On Dec. 23 State Rep. David Campbell, D-Nashua, was at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nashua. He acknowledges he drove his car into a group of ducks, killing five of them.
He issued a statement on Dec. 29 saying he was "deeply sorry" for what happened, and that he was fully cooperating with police.
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Following an investigation by Nashua Police, Campbell pleaded "no contest" to killing the ducks and was ordered to pay $695. Although he had purchased alcohol from the hotel lounge prior to the incident, Campbell was not charged with driving while intoxicated.
Since the initial apology was issued, an audio recording has been released, of a phone call made Dec. 23 by Nashua Police Commissioner Tom Pappas to Nashua Police. Police were looking for Campbell in connectin with the duck incident, and Pappas called them on Campbell's behalf.
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Pappas, a longtime friend and fellow attorney, asked if Campbell could report to the police station the following day, which he did.
That fact has some people, including two Nashua aldermen, calling for both Campbell and Pappas to consider resigning, according to news reports.
The Nashua Police Commission is appointed by the governor's office. When contacted Jan. 20 by Nashua Patch for comment, a spokesman for Gov. Maggie Hassan issued the following statement:
“The Attorney General’s office is taking the appropriate action of reviewing the situation, which is standard for questions involving Governor and Executive Council appointees. The Governor fully supports this review and expects the Attorney General’s office to conduct it as expeditiously as possible.”
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