Criminal charges of physical abuse of a child and disorderly conduct were filed against a Superior lawyer late Tuesday afternoon in the Douglas County Clerk of Courts office.
The charges against Richard S. Gondik Jr., 47, stem from an incident that occurred at his Foxboro home April 12. The attorney is accused of hitting a 14-year-old boy with a baseball bat, knocking him to the ground and grabbing him by the throat. Polk County District Attorney Daniel Steffen is serving as special prosecutor for the case, which will be heard by Polk Count Circuit Court Judge Molly E. GaleWyrick.
According to the criminal complaint:
An argument erupted between Gondik and two youth -- the 14-year-old and a 17-year-old male -- over a recent turkey hunting trip. Gondik ordered the boys to do chores outside then locked them out of the house until they finished the work. The 14-year-old came to the front door and wanted to go inside because he was cold. When Gondik refused to let him in, the boy went to the door with a bat.
Gondik opened the door and grabbed the bat from the boy, either pushing or hitting the teen with the bat so he fell to the ground. A witnesses said it was not a full-fledged swing, but enough to knock the boy to the ground. The lawyer then grabbed the 14-year-old by the throat and pushed him into the deck railing, the complaint stated.
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The teen suffered multiple abrasions on his right forearm and shoulder as well as a large bruise on his forearm that was puffy and black and blue in color, the complaint stated. He was brought to the hospital to have his arm x-rayed and was unable to write a statement due to the injuries.
The felony child abuse charge carries a maximum penalty of three years and six months imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. The misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge carries a maximum penalty of 90 days jail and up to a $1,000 fine. No initial appearance has been scheduled as of Wednesday morning.
Steffen served as special prosecutor for another case against Gondik that stemmed from a July 6, 2008, altercation between the lawyer and his wife. Gondik pleaded no contest to a county disorderly conduct charge in that case and was fined $233.
