DA drops assault charge against ‘Truth Slinger’ over Augusta school board incident
District Attorney Declines to Press Charges Against Augusta Activist in School Board Incident
KENNEBEC COUNTY, Maine — The Kennebec County District Attorney’s office has decided not to pursue criminal charges against Timothy Bodnar, a conservative activist and podcaster known online as “Truth Slinger,” following an incident at an Augusta Board of Education meeting in June. The decision, made by District Attorney Maeghan Maloney, centers on an alleged assault where Bodnar reportedly pushed a school department employee during public comment.
The incident occurred when Bodnar, a St. Albans resident, was speaking at the podium and playing an A.I.-generated song from his phone. As a school employee approached, Bodnar allegedly extended his arm and pushed her. Multiple prosecutors reviewed the case before Maloney announced the decision not to file a complaint, citing the high legal standard required for criminal charges.
“In general, we file a complaint when the elements of a crime can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt and there are no applicable defenses,” Maloney stated, explaining the office’s rationale.
Bodnar, who has thousands of followers on platforms like X and Facebook, is a prominent figure in local conservative activism. He has frequently attended school board meetings across Maine to advocate for issues such as President Donald Trump’s executive order banning transgender girls from girls’ sports teams, and he has been a vocal supporter of Immigration and Customs Enforcement at rallies, including one in front of the Maine State House on July 15.
Despite the district attorney’s decision, the Augusta School Department is moving forward with civil action. The department has filed a lawsuit against Bodnar, seeking up to $500 in damages for the alleged assault, and has imposed a yearlong trespass order barring him from school property and in-person meetings. Superintendent Mike Tracy emphasized that the trespass order remains in effect, stating he has no intention of lifting it unless Bodnar demonstrates improved behavior.
“I haven’t been able to get a commitment out of him to … improve his public discourse. He’s had a proven history of being threatening and quasi-dangerous behavior, so there’s nothing that’s reassuring me from him to be able to drop that charge,” Tracy said.
Bodnar did not respond to requests for comment but sent an email to Tracy demanding the lawsuit and trespass order be dropped following the DA’s decision. In the email, he wrote, “If you all would have sane speech rules there would be no need for theatrics. YOU (the board) caused all of this and now use it to further deprive me of my rights.”
The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between local activists and school officials in Maine, with legal and public discourse continuing to unfold. The school department’s actions reflect a broader effort to manage confrontations at public meetings, while Bodnar’s influence as an online figure ensures the incident remains part of the regional conversation.
