Former State Police Col. Claims Smithfield Councilor “Stalked and Bullied” His Wife
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
Former Rhode Island State Police Colonel Steven O’Donnell appeared before the Smithfield Town Council meeting on Tuesday night and charged that Smithfield Town Councilor David Tikoian “stalked and bullied” his wife Holly O’Donnell.
The two have had a longstanding rivalry going back to when they served together in the Command Staff of the State Police a decade ago.
In a 12-minute speech, O’Donnell claimed he was an expert in "Robert’s Rule of Order" and that he had a First Amendment right to make his speech about Tikoian.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTO’Donnell made a number of wide-ranging charges against Tikoian. He claimed that it is possible the Tikoian did not properly file his declaration as a candidate.
Former RISP Colonel O’Donnell has had a number of controversies himself, after he was removed as head of the State Police by former Governor Gina Raimondo. Today, he heads the Greater Providence YMCA where he has been sued by a number of women claiming abuse.
That federal lawsuit was settled in 2020.
“Plaintiffs Karen Cooper and Linda Dykeman allege that the Greater Providence Young Men’s Christian Association and their former supervisor, Steven O’Donnell, subjected them to a hostile work environment based on their gender and retaliated against them when they complained of this discrimination, in violation of federal and state law,” claim the Cooper and Dykeman in the lawsuit.
After O’Donnell’s speech on Tuesday, his wife spoke.
“I have allowed someone to intimidate me,” said Holly O’Donnell.
She said over the years that Tikoian, when he was the police chief of North Providence, "would go over the line and intimidate, harass and bully.”
“He is a bully,” said Holly O’Donnell about Tikoian.
She claims she called and spoke to North Providence Mayor Charlie Lombardi and that the Mayor encouraged her to get a restraining order.
“This man has power and abuses it,” said Holly O’Donnell.
Tikoian Fires Back
"My family and I have been the subject of Mr. O’Donnell’s wrath of intimidation, harassment and threats for the last seven years since my retirement from the State Police in 2015," said Tikoian in a statement to GoLocal. He is a candidate for the Rhode Island State Senate.
"[Steven O'Donnell] has continued to discredit me and my character with any opportunity available. It seems each time I advance in my professional or political career he takes issue with my successes," said Tikoian.
"In terms of my declaration of candidacy for Senate District 22, it was filed on time and in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the Board of Elections. If there is some question about how the submission time of 3:50 PM appears on the declaration paper, I would suggest the local board of canvassers can answer that," Tikoian said.
"The claims made against me by Mrs. O’Donnell are grossly inaccurate and taken out of context. If there was any validity to them, why didn’t Mr. O’Donnell simply pick up the phone and call me. He has my number," added Tikoian.
"And to use his wife as a pawn in some personal issue he has with a former colleague is simply bizarre behavior from my perspective," added Tikoian.
"I have much to be thankful for, including a wonderful family and our 90-year-old mother. I will not let his public attack on my character and reputation, of always comporting myself as a gentleman, deter me from serving our community. If anyone is a victim in all of this, it has been my family and me," said Tikoian.
And Tikoian pointed out, "Lastly, and to put it into perspective, I am not one who was the subject of a workplace harassment settlement."
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story identified the town as North Smithfield. It is Smithfield. We apologize for the error.
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