Nahant resident files complaint against K of C for racism

NAHANT – The Knights of Columbus is a hotbed of racism and illegal activity, according to one local resident.Persia native and 20-year Nahant resident Medi Mirnasiri, a U.S. citizen for 32 years, said he filed a complaint alleging he is the victim of hate crimes and the FBI is investigating.”They (members of the Knights of Columbus) have made racial remarks to me,” he said. “I’ve had nails thrown in my driveway and they broke my window. The FBI interviewed me and is investigating it.”FBI spokesman Gail Marcinkiewicz said the FBI does not confirm or deny investigations, but she confirmed hate crimes fall under the jurisdiction of the FBI.Mirnasiri said he has had problems with the Knights of Columbus for years and the problems are escalating.”There is always illegal activity going on over there,” he said. “I’ve seen people in the parking lot having sex and smoking dope. They drink outside. I’m not the only neighbor complaining but town officials won’t do anything.”Attempts to reach Grand Knight Scott Grieves were unsuccessful on Monday.Two other abutters, who asked not to be identified, said there have been a few problems with noise at night, but they would not elaborate on other alleged problems with the facility.Nahant Police Spokesman Lt. Thomas Hutton said Mirnasiri has called the police on numerous occasions and all complaints were investigated in accordance with departmental policy.Nahant Town Administrator Mark Cullinan said Mirnasiri has contacted him on various occasions because he believed boats in the Knights of Columbus parking lot violated the town zoning bylaw.”I gave him a request for zoning enforcement to fill out,” Cullinan said. “He never filled it out or followed through even though I informed him of the process.”Cullinan said any resident who believes zoning bylaws are being violated needs to fill out the form and then it is sent to the building inspector, who has 14 days to respond. Cullinan said if the resident does not agree with the building inspector, the issue could be appealed to the Zoning Board of Appeals.