AUGUSTA (WGME) – Attorney General Aaron Frey has filed a civil rights complaint against two teen girls who allegedly spray-painted racist graffiti on Maine man’s car.
The complaint alleges that on the night of August 20 two 15-year-old girls from Bangor spray-painted racial slurs and threats on Tahmoor Khan’s car based on their bias against his race or color.
The complaint requests an order prohibiting the teens from having any contact with Khan and from violating the Maine Civil Rights Act in the future.
“It is unconscionable when we learn that an individual is subjected to threats of violence or property damage based on the color of their skin. The egregious racist messages on the vehicle victimize not only the property owner, but all people of color in the Bangor community and across the state,” Frey said.
The Maine Civil Rights Act authorizes the attorney gto bring an action against any person who uses physical force or violence, the threat of physical force or violence, property damage or the threat of property damage against another person motivated by bias against the other person’s race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation.
A knowing violation of an order issued under the Civil Rights Act is a Class D crime punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Khan, who is of Pakistani descent, spoke to CBS13 in August about the discovery he made after his neighbor alerted him.
"He said your car is vandalized and I just walk out and there's profanity and heinous words and I’m sure you've seen the pictures just written all over the vehicle. Personally, I’m not upset about the damage, I’m more upset those words. Those people came to my home that's the scary part, that's the part where they thought it was okay and clearly felt they were empowered, had enough to go out and do this,” said Khan.
Khan says he got a lot of support, including from one group who offered to clean up his car for free.
The teens were originally charged with criminal mischief and released to their parents.