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May 14, 2008 - 6:06PM
Chandler official resigns after arrest
Mike Branom, Tribune
The embattled economic development director of Chandler resigned Wednesday, just days after his arrest in a domestic violence incident.
Richard "Dick" Mulligan, 50, will remain on paid administrative leave until July 4, a city spokeswoman said. Mulligan's annual salary was nearly $141,000, and he had served that position since January 2006.
Chandler official cited in womans assault
Mulligan's resignation was a mutual agreement between him and the city, spokeswoman Nachie Marquez said.
"It's unfortunate," Marquez said.
On Sunday, police report, Mulligan pulled his fiancee, Sonya Banna, out of her vehicle and threw her to the ground. He was arrested and released, according to a police report.
When contacted at his home Wednesday, Mulligan said he had no comment. His attorney did not return a phone message.
Police and court records paint a picture of Mulligan's disintegrating relationship with Banna.
In April, the 45-year-old Banna filed a petition asking for an injunction against harassment. She accused Mulligan of physical and emotional abuse and threatening to get her fired from her job at Intel Corp. and having the state's child welfare agency take away her son.
Police said Banna also told them after Sunday's incident the city was investigating Mulligan on whether he was sending hostile e-mails from his work account.
Mulligan filed his own petition Monday, in which he declared Banna shows up at his home unannounced, after which violent arguments ensue. He also said Banna's injunction was secured after she collaborated with his ex-wife.
In addition, the petition states, Banna took a phone call from a new boyfriend while she and Mulligan were talking in her car in front of his home.
According to police, that incident triggered Sunday night's incident.
The police report said Mulligan called 911 shortly after 10 p.m. because Banna was refusing to leave his home in the 1200 block of West Macaw Drive. Soon after, a witness called 911 to say he had seen a man pull a woman out of a vehicle by her hair.
Mulligan was arrested but not booked into jail, the report said, because he was cooperative and Banna wasn't injured.
Before coming to Chandler, Mulligan worked in a similar position in Mesa.
Marquez described the city's economic development department as "very strong," citing progress in bringing businesses to Chandler Airpark and the Price Road Corridor.
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