GOLDEN — A Jefferson County school board member apologized to the community and his wife and daughter after pleading guilty Tuesday to third-degree assault, a misdemeanor, for slapping his 16-year-old daughter.
But despite Vince Chowdhury’s apology, the school board announced Tuesday evening that it had met in special session and voted to request his resignation. The vote was unanimous, the board said, except that Dave Thomas abstained because he is Chowdhury’s attorney.
A harassment charge was dropped Tuesday against Chowdhury, 48, in connection with a June 17 incident in which he hit his daughter for being what he said was “disrespectful.”
County Judge Jack DeVita gave Chowdhury a one-year deferred judgment and ordered him to attend anger management and parenting classes.
If Chowdhury stays out of trouble, he will not have a criminal record, Thomas said.
“I should have used better judgment,” Chowdhury said after the Jefferson County Court hearing. “I know now there is a better way of handling the situation. . . . I have been a loving, caring father for 21 years.”
Chowdhury said he hadn’t decided about the future of his school board term, which expires next year. He also is a Democratic candidate in state House District 22.
His guilty plea does not bar him from serving in either post. Chowdhury said he hoped people would recognize his service to Jefferson County and give him a second chance.
On Tuesday, 18 state Democratic leaders — including House Speaker Andrew Romanoff — endorsed Camille Ryckman, Chowdhury’s opponent in the Democratic primary.
The arrest affidavit states Chowdhury became angry after he arrived at his south Jefferson County home June 17 and his wife and daughter did not quickly open the garage door when he honked his car horn.
Katherine Chowdhury and the girl said they apologized. Chowdhury then slapped the daughter’s face and choked her, the affidavit said.
The daughter told police she bit his hand in self-defense before her mother tried to pull Chowdhury off her.
The affidavit said the girl locked herself in her bedroom until deputies arrived.
Katherine Chowdhury said that when she told Chowdhury she was calling 911, he said she would be next, the affidavit said.
Chowdhury told deputies he just “lost it” when his wife and daughter did not hear him honking the horn.
A protective order was modified to allow Chowdhury to send e-mails to his wife, but he may not otherwise have contact with them.
Ann Schrader: 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com
