Former Selectman Accused of Making Threats

Beth Hallal, Seekonk's board of health agent, said former Selectman Bill Rice acted like fictional mob boss Tony Soprano at Town Hall last week when he told her he would break her bones. Rice admitted he made the comments, but said he was joking. Hallal filed a police report. Police Capt. Frank John told Patch Rice will not be charged with a crime.

Rice's comments made May 24 were in reaction to the board of health's approval of the Pine Hill Estates development, according to an incident report written by Patrol Officer Sean P. Dowd. The report says Rice was upset because of possible disruption to water and wells in the area.

Dowd described Hallal's version of the story:

Beth was behind the counter and Rice stated, "You're just who I am looking for." Beth asked what she could help Rice with. Rice then began to look at her arms and said, "I don't know which arm I should break first." Beth was confused by this and stated, "What?" Rice then said, "Maybe I should just break your kneecaps instead." Beth asked if he was threatening her, and he stated, "That is not a threat, it is a promise!" This was overheard by Denise Cruzake, who also works in the BOH office.

Hallal told Dowd she was not afraid of Rice, according to his report, but his comments made her feel "very strange, upset and uncomfortable." Dowd wrote Hallal told him Rice was acting like Tony Soprano.

Dowd's report says Rice told him the comments were made in jest. Rice also told this to Patch in an email:

This is not an attempt to excuse my behavior. It was wrong and I'm sorry it happened. Yes, in my head I thought I was joking. Beth interpreted it as a threat. I just wasn't thinking clearly or respectfully. I regret the remarks. I never meant to threaten her. This was a stupid remark. We had more conversation about my running for selectman. She said, is that a threat? I took it to mean my running again and I said it was a promise. Turns out she meant my earlier statement which was crude and hurtful. I wrote her an apology and apologized to the TA. 

Dowd told Rice making threats to injure someone is a crime, and he could be charged with one. However when asked about whether a charge would be filed, Capt. John told Patch in an email, "No charges pending."

Rice has been told by the Seekonk Police Department not to contact Hallal. Earlier this week, Hallal received a card from Rice with an apology for his statements and an explanation he had been joking. She contacted the police.

"Ms. Hallal requested that I speak with Mr. Rice and express, again, that she wishes no further contact," wrote Capt. John in a separate incident report. "I also advised her to contact Mr. Raymond Grant, chairman of the board of health, and report this to him."

Capt. John wrote he contacted Rice after speaking with Hallal.

"I explained that Ms. Hallal received his card and did not want any further contact with him," Capt. John wrote. "He stated that he understood and would not be contacting her again."

Rice was elected to the board of selectmen in 2011. He resigned a little more than a year later without a public explanation.