Fisherman faces charges for putting tongue in fed’s ear

[LuckyLady]

Fisherman faces charges for putting tongue in fed’s ear

By O’Ryan Johnson
Thursday, February 24, 2011 - Updated 1 day ago

A Gloucester fisherman is facing charges for hugging and putting his tongue in the ear of a federal fishing monitor — in a case that sparked immediate suspicion among fishing industry advocates.

U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz said the Major Crimes Unit in Boston is prosecuting John Cusick, 49, on charges of assault and sexual harassment for allegedly hugging and putting his tongue in the ear of an unidentified monitor aboard the Sea Farmer II in July.

“The indictment alleges that Cusick harassed and assaulted a federal monitor who collects data from commercial fishing vessels while the vessel is engaged in fishing activities,” the office said.

Fishing monitors are placed on commercial boats by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to ensure fishermen do not exceed their federally mandated quotas, which have been the subject of protest for years.

“NOAA is pulling out all the stops to discredit fishermen because they’re in a lot of trouble,” said Tina Jackson, president of the American Alliance of Fishermen and their Communities. “NOAA is under a microscope right now for their actions on enforcement and policy.”

Jackson said fishermen will lobby Congress next week to investigate NOAA.

In a separate case, Richard Wetherell, captain of the New Bedford-based Jessica & Susan, was indicted for two counts of forcible assault of two monitors. Both men face six months in jail and $100,000 fines.

“(The government is) doing it because the political pressure is on,” Jackson said. “Of all the years observers have been on ships ... now, two guys are being targeted?”

[LuckyLady]

Now how did I miss this one! Tongue in ear , guess they licked off more than they bargined for... Dang people with no sense of humor...

[worldcat lemon]

maybe he was aiming at something else and ended up in her ear????

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm5oMn1PWtI

Hey who the heck really knows? I believe a fishermen over a politician any day.