Facebook page operator facing charges on posting CORI info

SAUGUS – Michael Downing is facing formal charges in relation to posting the arrest record of Selectman Stephen Horlick on the Facebook page, “No More Horlick,” which Downing operates.”We will be seeking appropriate charges, hopefully by the end of next week,” said Assistant Police Chief Ronald Giorgetti Friday. “It depends on the cooperation of Facebook.”Downing said the police can try and charge him if they like but he is not guilty of what they’re accusing him of.Giorgetti said the charges will center around the fact that Horlick’s arrest record was obtained through a CORI, or Criminal Offender Record Information, check. By posting it online Downing was disseminating information obtained through a CORI check, which is illegal under state law, Giorgetti explained.”Somebody dropped it in my mailbox,” Downing said. “I didn’t pull a CORI then share it so good luck with that if they want to prosecute me.”Downing launched the Facebook page “No More Horlick” about two months ago, to raise awareness of Horlick’s past, he said.”I don’t understand how he gets re-elected,” Downing said. “I was taught there is some truth to where there’s smoke there’s fire. You don’t get wrongly accused three times.”Horlick has been charged with assault and battery several times but noted that the charges have been dismissed in each case.Horlick countered Downing’s attack with the fact that he has been in office for a decade.”People know what I support and what I don’t support, they know what I stand for and what I don’t stand for,” he said. “Every two years this stuff comes up but the residents see through all this knowing what I truly stand for and put me in office to fight for what’s right.”Downing said he learned of the investigation when he received a notification from Facebook officials alerting him to the fact that Facebook had been subpoenaed by the Saugus Police Department. He said he was told that Saugus Police asked that the social media site turn over everything that was or had been posted on the website. By the time he learned of the subpoena he had already taken the record down, he said.”I took it down last Thursday,” Downing said. “Then I got the email from Facebook.”Downing said initially he agreed to go in and speak to Giorgetti but after speaking to a lawyer he decided against it.By Friday the arrest record was back up with an accompanying post tagged with an avatar that bore Downing’s name that stated, “I’m already dirty from this mess so I might as well put this back up.”Downing said he has also sent a letter to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). He is seeking an opinion on whether what he did, by posting the arrest record is an arrestable offense or if it’s his freedom of speech that has been thwarted.”I haven’t heard back from them yet,” he said.