State Sen. Josh Miller (D-Cranston) pleaded no contest Tuesday to charges that he keyed an SUV with a “Biden sucks” sticker parked at the Garden City shopping plaza and obstructed an investigation by police.
Miller, a 69-year-old Democrat first elected in 2006, was arrested in connection with the episode last month.
He initially told police that he feared for his safety and thought the vehicle was associated with “one of the gun nuts” who had followed him at the Statehouse.
Miller was charged with vandalism and then obstruction, both misdemeanors, after police determined that the senator’s initial account was misleading.
As part of a no contest plea in Kent County Court, Miller was ordered to pay $2,850 to the victim and an additional $250 to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. The charges will be expunged from his record if he avoids further brushes with the law for one year.
The episode led the state GOP to call for Miller to resign, although his fellow Democratic senators remained publicly silent about what happened.
Senate President Dominick Ruggerio used a statement to make his first detailed comment about the vandalism incident.
He called Miller’s behavior “deeply regrettable,” but said it should not overshadow his legislative record.
“I don’t believe that any one of us would want to be judged solely upon our worst moments,” Ruggerio said. “I choose to look at the whole of Sen. Miller’s public service, including the countless hours he has spent working to make our state a better place to live and work. Because of his long record of service, because he has taken responsibility for his actions, and because the events of that day had nothing to do with his responsibilities in the Senate or his position as a state senator, we are putting this incident behind us and moving forward. Like all of us who hold elected office, Sen. Miller will ultimately answer to his constituents.”
Miller owns some Providence venues, including Trinity Brewhouse.
In a statement, Miller said, “I am truly sorry for my actions in this matter and I am disappointed in my behavior and lack of judgment. In a blink of an eye, I exhibited a lack of self-control that has impacted my reputation. For that, I only have myself to blame as I am solely responsible for what led to today’s court proceedings.”
He added: “To my constituents and supporters and Senate colleagues, I apologize for my actions. Most importantly, to those directly impacted by my conduct, I offer my sincere apologies. All I can ask is that I be judged on how I have comported myself throughout my life as a husband, father, business owner, employer and public servant.”
Correction: The courthouse at which Miller appeared was initially misreported in this story.
Ian Donnis can be reached at idonnis@ripr.org
