Foxboro resident charged with casino debate threat

FOXBORO, Mass. (WHDH) -- A pro-casino Foxboro resident has been charged with threatening the life of a selectman amidst the heated casino debate consuming the town.

The town leader doesn't want a casino to move into the community, but that didn't sit well with the suspect, so he allegedly took his argument to the selectman's house.

According to a police report, the suspect has confronted the selectman at his home before.

Michael Viscardi is accused of threatening the life of a Foxboro selectman.

Viscardi was visibly unhappy in court with the judge's order to stay away from the selectman man and his family.

The courtroom drama started with a proposed casino coming to Foxboro. Viscardi, police say, is in favor of the casino and was upset when selectman Mark Sullivan changed his vote last December, essentially ending the plans.

Then on Sunday -- prosecutors say -- he threatened the selectman's life.

“If Mr. Sullivan did not change his vote, that he was a dead man,” said Matt Freedell, a prosecutor.

Things escalated Monday, prosecutors say, when Viscardi -- who lives a quarter mile down the street from the selectman -- made a threatening gesture.

“That Mr. Viscardi was welding a hatchet,” said Freedell.

The topic of casinos has pit neighbors against neighbors, but the latest incident -- many in Foxboro say -- was over the line.

“Obviously you should agree to disagree. Not threaten someone's life,” said Nicole Keeton, a Foxboro resident.

“You do it at the ballot box. I think getting over emotional about something like this isn't going to solve anything,” said Nick Gildred, a Foxboro resident.

Police say Michael Viscardi has a lengthy criminal history. He is being held on $5,000 bail.

(Copyright (c) 2012 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)