PORTLAND, Maine — The Standish attorney at whose hearing a Portland District Court judge issued a controversial gag order — which was subsequently lifted after being challenged by media and First Amendment advocates — pleaded not guilty to two new charges Monday, according to WCSH-TV, Portland’s NBC affiliate.
Anthony Sineni III, 52, pleaded not guilty Monday to the new charges of violating a protection-from-abuse order and violating conditions of release for an earlier charge, the television station reported.
Sineni was arrested at about 2:30 p.m. Friday at Edna Libby School in Standish, where at least one of his children attends school, according to a news release issued Friday by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.
“Mr. Sineni went to the school of the younger child and asked to see the child simply as a wellness check,” Christopher Largay, Sineni’s attorney, reportedly told the television station Monday. “He wanted to make sure that this son, who he had not seen in 100 days, was safe. That’s it.”
At the Jan. 5 hearing, when Judge Jeffrey Moskowitz issued the controversial gag order, the misdemeanor count of domestic violence assault, three counts of witness tampering and a possession of a stolen gun charge against Sineni — all of which are felonies — were dismissed by the court.
As part of a deferred disposition deal reached at that hearing, the misdemeanor counts to which Sineni pleaded guilty were to be expunged from his record within two years if he abided by certain legal and behavioral conditions.
Sineni and his former girlfriend each have accused the other of physical and emotional abuse during their 11-year relationship. The couple have three children, two together and one from the former girlfriend’s prior relationship.
After Monday’s hearing, Sineni was scheduled to be released on $5,000 unsecured bail. The judge ruled visitation with his children would be limited to four hours of supervised time Saturdays.
BDN Portland Bureau Chief Seth Koenig and staff writer Dawn Gagnon contributed to this report.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to talk with an advocate, call 866-834-4357, TRS 800-787-3224. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and is accessible from anywhere in Maine.