Brookfield BOE member charged with misdemeanor assault

BROOKFIELD — A member of the Brookfield Board of Education will face a criminal charge in connection with a physical altercation he had with another board member earlier this month.

Sean O’Brien, prosecutor in Trumbull County Eastern District Court, said a misdemeanor assault charge were filed against board member Joseph Pasquerilla on Thursday afternoon. He is due in court to answer to those charges April 3.

According to police reports, board member Ronald Brennan said board members disagreed about issues related to new board candidates when things became heated. He said Pasquerilla stood up, approached him and open-hand slapped him.

Brennan admitted that in the heat of the argument he called Pasquerilla a dictator and a “son of a b----.”

Pasquerilla told police the events occurred as Brennan stated, except that Brennan stood up first. He said that he was struck by Brennan with a forearm to his chest and that he only struck back in self-defense.

O’Brien said he is unsure if any charges will be filed against Brennan.

If convicted of the misdemeanor charge, Pasquerilla could face a $1,000 fine, six months in jail and up to five years of probation.