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State Pursuing All Charges Against LaCourt, Husband

The couple will be back in district court Friday, Dec. 21.

 

The state is moving forward with all charges Arlington police brought against former Arlington selectman Annie LaCourt and her husband, Mark Burstein, last month.

On Wednesday, Nov. 14, a district court magistrate found probable cause to charge the couple with furnishing alcohol to a person under 21, 33 counts each, according to Arlington Police Capt. Richard Flynn. Then, on Thursday, Nov. 15, a juvenile court found sufficient cause to charge them with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, three counts each, he said.

The couple will be arraigned on the furnishing charges in Cambridge District Court, which is actually on Route 16 in Medford, on Friday, Dec. 21, he said. No date has been set for the juvenile court arraignment, he said.

LaCourt and Burstein were allegedly caught the night of Friday, Oct. 19, having another underage drinking party at their Chatham Street residence, while they were home.

Police said they found 33 teenagers at the house, 21 of whom were allegedly intoxicated. Most of them were 17, according to police.

The couple’s lawyer, Tom Brant, told Boston.com that “they look forward to fighting the charges and expect the case to look much different when all of the facts come out.”

LaCourt and Burstein did not attend Wednesday’s hearing, which was closed, according to the Boston.com report.

Flynn said it’s not yet known what penalties the couple could face if they are convicted.

In June 2009, police responded to a smaller party at the residence, while LaCourt, then a selectman, was home; however, she was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing.

LaCourt did not seek reelection in April after seven years on the board. She’s still a current Town Meeting member from Precinct 15.

Related Topics: Annie LaCourt, Arlington MA, Arlington Mass., Board Of Selectmen, Mark Burstein, Police And Fire, Teen Drinking, Underage Drinking, and Underage House Party

Tim

3:31 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012

Lock her and him up . The both of them are menaces to the public .while they are at it they should lock up the Watertown creeper along with them .

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saul glick

3:38 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012

Thanks to Arlington Patch, for keeping the Arlington citizens up to date on this subject. Great job.

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Drew

8:53 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012

She and the husband thought by getting off scott free the first time they could get away with it again. Why break the law and encourage and support drinking in children as if were nothing when in actuality it could potentially lead to a lifetime of alcoholism. Let the kids figure out about booze for themselves without their stupid misguided 'support" and help.

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Walt Smith

12:53 pm on Friday, November 16, 2012

Gotta agree with Drew. They didn't learn from the slap on the wrist they received the first time around. Despite their public service to the community, they deserve to be prosecuted this time.

Bob C

3:29 am on Friday, November 16, 2012

Police searched the couples garage and found an illegal gas leaf blower hidden behind several boxes. Charges for that are also pending!

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Susan

8:42 am on Friday, November 16, 2012

It is disappointing to see a community news publication sensationalize a difficult situation for one of our own families, expecially for Annie, who has tirelessly given of herself to our community for many years. Remember, only charges have been filed - nothing has been proven, so let's leave this family alone.

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Misty

12:42 pm on Friday, November 16, 2012

This news publication is not sensationalizing anything--strictly printing the facts. Annie may have given to this community but that does not give her special privileges. She cannot break the law.

Wind Dummy 25

10:39 am on Friday, November 16, 2012

Susan come on think about this for a second. There is nothing difficult about this at all. Nobody asked them to break laws. Something went wrong and someone was upset enough and filed a complaint...This is what happens and why good judgement starts in the home. Apparently the first warning meant nothing to them. Do you think they'll be good now?

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Tim

3:43 pm on Friday, November 16, 2012

Susan please , give me a break . They put themselves in that " difficult situation " by being the arrogant individual she is .. This should have happened the first time . But someone was affraid to lock her up .. As far as community service , please she did that for herself and has some kind of plan to move up in politics . Her political career went down the drain just like booze

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Holden

8:13 pm on Friday, November 16, 2012

I heard she might have beer pong tournaments for the homeless as part of a plea agreement.

Steve

5:37 pm on Friday, November 16, 2012

I wish we had a "like" button for these comments ...

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Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III

1:05 pm on Sunday, November 18, 2012

I thought moonbats had diplomatic immunity to these charges.

Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III

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Matt

1:56 pm on Sunday, November 18, 2012

She is the Queen Moonbat Rev. Did you see her house and car on the news?

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Matt

2:16 pm on Sunday, November 18, 2012

If doesn't matter if you love or hate Howie Carr his article about how disgraceful Arlington has become is right on the money.

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saul glick

3:29 pm on Sunday, November 18, 2012

Good afternoon Rev. Pimperton. Although i am not of your persuation, i hope you have a happy Sunday. Your wise words, are always kept in my mind, as thoughtful and careing as they are. May we both hope that the cards fall as they may, and that justice is fair and just.
Peace, Reverand

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Tim

8:44 pm on Sunday, November 18, 2012

I think a few months in Framingham Would do Mrs LaCourt some good.

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Sean Meagher

2:46 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Annie and her husband should go to jail and the state should take away her kids

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Annie B.

4:59 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Stupid should hurt!! Who doesn't know that you don't throw a "minors" drinking party. Is this couple new to the planet? I would love to see these two doing alot of public community service here in Arlington where everyone can drive by and give them a beep to remind them about bad decisions.

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Aaron

1:08 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012

What an ignorant comment. You and Annie must be buddies with matching Warren stickers on your Subarus.

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Walt Smith

2:05 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Bridget, did you forget that Annie was the ADULT on the premises?

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Tim

9:15 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Well Johnnie Boy it's not disagree ......Its their way or nothing ......don't choke on your wishbone tomorrow....

Aaron

2:15 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Annie can do no wrong Walt she is one of the new breed in Arlington and they will do what they want and condemn those who disagree, just ask Bridget.

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Harriet

4:45 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012

kinda like Tim, but not a townie! how ironic.

Chris

6:31 pm on Sunday, November 25, 2012

This woman is a disgrace and so is her husband

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Karen

7:04 am on Monday, November 26, 2012

I missed the part where any of these kids were elected officals or repeat offenders. Do you and Annie get your hair done together? Do you both ask for the Moe?

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Stephen H

9:02 am on Monday, November 26, 2012

Bridget Bishop chose a good handle to hide behind. If you google the name and Salem you will learn she was put to death as a witch during the Salem witch trials. More interesting, you will learn she was charged with "bewitching" five young women at her trial.

We don't need to know who Bridget Bishop is, but we do need to know who she represents. In Arlington, many will try to divide residents into groups; the "moonbats" vs the "townies", those who were born here vs those who are newcomers, even by their religion. I don't ascribe to those groupings. But I do know that Bridget Bishop, Annie LaCourt and many other politically active residents use children for their own selfish ends.

For example, three years ago, AHS children were used as political pawns calling for an override. Two years ago, Bob Sprague published the name of the 18yo child of a school committee member running against Annie LaCourt for a minor, out of state incident, not once but three times. Over the past several years Annie LaCourt exposed other people's children in alleged dangerous activities, maybe so her own children would be "popular".

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Stephen H

9:03 am on Monday, November 26, 2012

To this day, the Bridget Bishops in Arlington use children, posting news stories about them, providing identifying information on these comment sections, putting them at risk. These users of children are very active in our schools. They are responsible for charging the highest athletic fees while providing substandard safety equipment to force parents to abandon contact sports.

We don't need to find out who Bridget is, those who think like her self identify every day. We also don't need to create groups with cute names, like "moonbats" that need to be opposed. Instead, we need to drive the haters and users of children out of Arlington's politics.

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Karen

9:25 am on Monday, November 26, 2012

I think they are disgraceful Stephen

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Kemper

10:09 am on Monday, November 26, 2012

18 year olds can't legally drink Bridget no matter what kinky stuff you and Annie do at your homes. Nice try though.

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Kemper

12:36 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012

If you are a former elected official and have an underaged drinking party on a regular basis you can too.

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Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III

1:05 pm on Monday, November 26, 2012

Bridget,

Wouldn't worry about your hair as you will be hung for witchcraft.

Reverend E. Raleigh Pimperton III

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Pat M

8:30 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012

I bet you don't run , except for your mouth.

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Pat M

8:54 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012

What's with you people and vacations? The rest of us have to work sorry.

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