Michael English, a Democrat, is attempting to stage a political comeback, announcing his candidacy for mayor of Providence, Rhode Island. His past, however, casts a dark shadow over his aspirations. English, now 54, has a troubling history marked by a 1998 conviction for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. After committing repeated sexual acts against the minor in 1997, he was sentenced to a mere 20 years, with most of that time suspended. In reality, he served just 15 months due to good behavior credits, a lenient outcome considered by many to be grossly inadequate given the severity of his crimes.
At the time of his conviction, English was 26 years old. A judge decided against a harsher sentence that prosecutors had sought, opting instead for a light punishment. The judiciary’s handling of such cases often prompts questions about its commitment to protecting the most vulnerable. The judge’s ruling, which allowed English to only serve a fraction of his sentence, was criticized for failing to hold him accountable.
In a further twist to his story, English violated a no-contact order in 2009 by attempting to reach the same victim again. He argued that his living arrangements, conveniently across the street from her, were purely coincidental. However, English’s legal troubles did not stop there; after this incident, he faced additional incarceration, serving 19 months for this violation. It raises eyebrows that such a person now seeks a leadership position meant to serve and protect the community.
While English insists he has transformed since those “immature decisions,” skeptics remain unconvinced. In his campaign materials, he emphasizes his prison-earned degrees and asserts that his past should not obstruct his ability to lead. He challenges critics by arguing, “They’d be wrong, legally.” Such statements exhibit a troubling conviction that past crimes can be overlooked based on claims of personal growth.
Interestingly, because his conviction predates recent legal reforms, English does not appear on the public sex offender registry in Rhode Island. A court ruled that he was only required to register locally for ten years, effectively allowing him to evade broader public scrutiny. This absence from the registry is startling, considering the nature of his offenses against a minor.
In his campaign, English positions himself as a protector of the vulnerable, claiming a commitment to improving options for Providence residents. He addresses issues like policing, the local retirement system, and education, framing them as critical areas needing reform. This rhetoric attempts to shift the focus from his past towards perceived civic responsibility.
Furthermore, English’s statement, “If I haven’t showed how to go from nothing to something again, then no one will,” speaks to an audacious self-justification that asks constituents to assess his journey rather than the severity of his criminal behavior.
The juxtaposition of English’s past and his current political ambitions evokes serious ethical and moral questions about his suitability for office. Can someone with such a record truly be entrusted with a role that demands integrity and responsibility? As Providence residents prepare for the upcoming election cycle, English’s candidacy presents a provocative case study on redemption, accountability, and the community’s expectations of its leaders.
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