Politics
New Bedford councilor attends committee meeting after pleading not guilty in rollover case
Shawn Oliver returned to City Hall on Monday but declined to discuss his arrest after pleading not guilty to four charges tied to a crash that overturned his SUV and damaged five parked cars. He remains on the City Council while his case proceeds; his lieutenant governor campaign is suspended.
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — City Councilor Shawn Oliver attended a finance committee meeting at City Hall on Monday, hours after pleading not guilty to four charges stemming from a rollover crash, and declined to answer questions about the case or his public responsibilities.
“I have no comment at this time,” Oliver said when asked what he wanted to tell constituents.
Police said Oliver was speeding and swerving Saturday night before his SUV struck five parked cars and overturned on Dartmouth Street. The charges include operating under the influence. Oliver was released on personal recognizance, and his driver’s license was suspended. He is due back in court in November.
Oliver announced Sunday that he was suspending his campaign for Massachusetts lieutenant governor. He remains a New Bedford councilor. His running mate, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue, said Oliver would not serve as lieutenant governor if their ticket wins.
Ward 1 Councilor Leo Choquette called the crash a “terrible accident” and said he was grateful no one was seriously hurt. Asked whether Oliver should resign, Choquette said he had no opinion and that the decision was not his to make.
Oliver did not answer questions about whether he had spoken with Minogue or whether voters should trust his judgment given the allegations. The Massachusetts Department of Correction, where Oliver works, has placed him on restricted duty while it reviews the case.