Top Chandler Official arrested for assaulting ex-girlfriend
Richard Mulligan, 45, the Director of Economic Development for Chandler was arrested for the assault of his ex-girlfriend. Mulligan was arrested Sunday after an altercation with an ex-girlfriend outside his Chandler home. Police reported that Mulligan allegedly jerked Sonya Banna out of her vehicle and threw her on the ground. Mulligan denied the allegations but a man walking his dog nearby saw the incident and backed Banna's version of what happened, police said.
Chandler San Marcos Justice Court records show that last month Banna, 45, sought an injuction against Mulligan claiming he assaulted her in 2006 and has been harassing her with e-mails, threats, phone calls, and stalking since 2004.
According to the restraining order, Mulligan pulled Banna into his car and punched her in the thigh in July 2006. Police were called but, "I backed out of doing anything else because I still loved and cared about him and thought it was an isolated case," Banna said in the petition. Banna claims that their relationship had been troubling since 2004 and that she was threatened by Mulligan if she filed a restraining order she would lose her job because of his position with the City of Chandler.
Mulligan filed for a restraining order the day following his arrest claiming the former girlfriend's unannounced visits to his home and "loud screaming or throwing up" in his front yard disturbs his two teen-age sons and neighbors. He said in his petition that Banna collaborated with his ex-wife to get the earlier injunction.
"It sounds like I was harassing him and wouldn't leave his house," Banna said. "I'm in the car, in the street. If you want me to leave, why yank me out of the car and why be standing in the street?"
She also said she was not taunting him with her cell phone, but that he yanked her out of the car to get her phone to see who was calling her.
Mulligan has said he won't comment on the case and has referred questions to his attorney.
Mulligan is set to appear in city court on the criminal charge June 18. He is also scheduled to appear in San Marcos Justice Courton Thursday for a hearing on Banna's injunction.
Mulligan, 50, signed a "separation and release agreement" with the city and plans to submit a letter of resignation, walking away from his $140,891 a year job.
Situations involving assault and harrassment can be very dangerous. Do not attempt to handle these situations alone, consult with an attorney. For a free consultation contact Beauchamp Law Office at http://arizonarestrainingorders.com/
Richard Mulligan, 45, the Director of Economic Development for Chandler was arrested for the assault of his ex-girlfriend. Mulligan was arrested Sunday after an altercation with an ex-girlfriend outside his Chandler home. Police reported that Mulligan allegedly jerked Sonya Banna out of her vehicle and threw her on the ground. Mulligan denied the allegations but a man walking his dog nearby saw the incident and backed Banna's version of what happened, police said.
Chandler San Marcos Justice Court records show that last month Banna, 45, sought an injuction against Mulligan claiming he assaulted her in 2006 and has been harassing her with e-mails, threats, phone calls, and stalking since 2004.
According to the restraining order, Mulligan pulled Banna into his car and punched her in the thigh in July 2006. Police were called but, "I backed out of doing anything else because I still loved and cared about him and thought it was an isolated case," Banna said in the petition. Banna claims that their relationship had been troubling since 2004 and that she was threatened by Mulligan if she filed a restraining order she would lose her job because of his position with the City of Chandler.
Mulligan filed for a restraining order the day following his arrest claiming the former girlfriend's unannounced visits to his home and "loud screaming or throwing up" in his front yard disturbs his two teen-age sons and neighbors. He said in his petition that Banna collaborated with his ex-wife to get the earlier injunction.
"It sounds like I was harassing him and wouldn't leave his house," Banna said. "I'm in the car, in the street. If you want me to leave, why yank me out of the car and why be standing in the street?"
She also said she was not taunting him with her cell phone, but that he yanked her out of the car to get her phone to see who was calling her.
Mulligan has said he won't comment on the case and has referred questions to his attorney.
Mulligan is set to appear in city court on the criminal charge June 18. He is also scheduled to appear in San Marcos Justice Courton Thursday for a hearing on Banna's injunction.
Mulligan, 50, signed a "separation and release agreement" with the city and plans to submit a letter of resignation, walking away from his $140,891 a year job.
Situations involving assault and harrassment can be very dangerous. Do not attempt to handle these situations alone, consult with an attorney. For a free consultation contact Beauchamp Law Office at http://arizonarestrainingorders.com/
