[Vision2020] GOP Official Sentenced For Trespassing In Otter's Office

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (May 13, 2009) Idaho Statesman at:

http://www.idahostatesman.com/IdahoPolitics/story/767219.html

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Boise judge gives GOP official probation for trespassing in Otter's office

A Republican Party official was sentenced Monday to 30 days of probation
after his conviction for trespassing in Gov. Butch Otter's office.

Ada County Magistrate Kevin Swain told Christopher Pentico that he was
guilty of technically violating Idaho’s trespassing law. But Swain saw no
reason to impose jail time, a fine, or an order that Pentico stay away
from three state offices, as requested by the Ada County Prosecutor’s
Office.

Pentico, of Mountain Home, is vice chairman of the Elmore County
Republican Party and GOP chairman in legislative district 22.

Swain’s courtroom had a standing-room crowd of about 75 people who came at
the request of the Tea Party organization, which saw Pentico’s case as a
First Amendment issue.

After the hearing, about 25 people went to Gov. Otter's office hoping to
meet with him, but he was not in. They delivered a petition asking the
governor to pardon Pentico and to investigate why Pentico was barred from
the governor's office and other state buildings and to issue a letter of
apology to Pentico.

Pentico, 42, was convicted of trespassing on April 21 by Swain. Pentico
waived his right to a jury trial. Swain rejected Pentico's attempt to
raise constitutional issues in the case.

At trial, Pentico acknowledged that he had been "banned" from entering the
governor's office by Idaho State Police Cpl. Jens Pattis on March 25,
2008. Pattis also told Pentico not to enter the Statehouse Annex and the
State Department of Education.

But Pentico returned eight days later to Otter's office to deliver a
letter complaining about Pattis' order, among other issues. Pattis
arrested Pentico and cited him for trespassing.

Idaho State Police Lt. Col. Kevin Johnson said Pentico was barred at the
request of the governor's office.

Otter told the Idaho Statesman that he has spoken with Pentico four times
but was unable to help him. "If he's disruptive to the staff -- to the
demeanor of the office -- we have to remove him," Otter said.

Clete Edmunson, an Otter aide, said he met with Pentico six times and was
unable to be of further assistance. Edmunson said he asked Pentico not to
return and asked ISP to bar him from the governor's office because he was
disruptive.

Pentico has had disputes with Boise State University, where he was a
student. Pentico brought his concerns to Attorney General Lawrence Wasden.

He also has made repeated contact with the State Board of Education. The
board reviewed Pentico's complaints and determined that Boise State acted
properly, according to former State Board President Laird Stone, who also
has met with Pentico.

Prosecutors had requested five days in jail, two years of probation, a
$200 fine, court costs and a no-contact order barring Pentico from
visiting the Governor’s Office, the Legislature and the Department of
Education unless invited. Swain issued a withheld judgment, which means
that if Pentico successfully completes his 30-day probation, the
misdemeanor conviction will be removed from his record.

“I look forward from hearing from Mr. Derr in 30 days telling me this case
can be dismissed,” Swain said, referring to Pentigo’s lawyer, Allen Derr,.

Rep. Pete Nielsen, R-Mountain Home, testified on Pentico’s behalf Monday.

“There is no security risk or any fear of an assault or threat of any kind
from Chris Pentico,” Nielsen said. “He is persistent when he gets on a
cause, but I know a lot of people that way.”

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What a great day to be a liberal.

Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown