CONCORD, N.H. — A former police officer from New Hampshire is facing allegations of a racially motivated attack on a Black bank executive outside a diner on the evening before Thanksgiving 2023. This allegation is outlined in a civil rights complaint lodged by the state attorney general’s office.
Complaints have also been filed against Aaron Goodwin’s family members, including his brother and sister-in-law. The attorney general’s office stated that the actions of the Goodwin family were driven by considerations of race and/or national origin.
In order to demonstrate a breach of the New Hampshire Civil Rights Act, it is required to show that an individual obstructed the victim’s ability to partake in lawful activities through threats of physical force or acts of violence motivated by factors such as race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, as indicated by state law.
Goodwin pleaded guilty last month to a misdemeanor charge of simple assault related to his encounter with an individual referred to as “M.D.” in the complaint, who subsequently identified himself as Mamadou Dembele. Following the incident, Goodwin received a suspended sentence.
In response to these allegations, Goodwin’s attorney, John Durkin, expressed surprise at the complaint from the attorney general’s office, claiming that there were no incriminating comments made by Goodwin that could be construed as racist. Durkin maintained that Goodwin’s actions were merely a reaction to what he perceived as threats to his safety and that of his family, stating that it had nothing to do with race.
The confrontation started as Goodwin and his family members, who had traveled from Maryland, encountered Dembele while waiting for takeout inside the diner. Questions about Dembele’s origin led to derogatory remarks from Goodwin’s brother, who referred to him as a “moron,” arguing that Africa is not a country but a continent. Goodwin added an insult about Dembele’s smell, to which Dembele suggested offering him a cigar in response. The exchange escalated, with further derogatory remarks from Goodwin’s brother, including racially charged comments.
After exiting the diner, a confrontation occurred in the parking lot when Dembele requested to know what Kevin Goodwin’s issue was. This eventually resulted in Aaron Goodwin allegedly pulling Dembele to the ground.
The attorney general’s office is also pursuing a distinct civil rights complaint concerning Kevin Goodwin, who is accused of hurling racial epithets at Dembele and assaulting another Black man who attempted to intervene in the ongoing altercation. Similarly, Shannon Goodwin faces accusations in a separate complaint of using racial slurs and physically assaulting that same individual.
The prosecuting office is requesting a preliminary restraining order to safeguard the victims and the public from the Goodwin family. Additionally, they are seeking monetary penalties of $5,000 each against Aaron and Kevin Goodwin, and a $10,000 fine against Shannon Goodwin.
Kevin Goodwin admitted to a violation of disorderly conduct back in August, for which he paid a fine exceeding $600; the simpler assault charge against him was dismissed. Meanwhile, the case involving Shannon Goodwin remains pending, as state police issued a warrant for her in connection with three misdemeanor counts of simple assault and a disorderly conduct alleged violation.
Dembele has also filed a separate federal lawsuit against Aaron Goodwin, alleging negligence, battery, and assault. This legal action claims that Dembele endured a concussion and a torn Achilles tendon that necessitated surgical intervention, along with numerous other physical and emotional traumas.
According to Durkin, Aaron Goodwin has yet to be formally notified about the ongoing lawsuit or the attorney general’s complaint.
It’s worth noting that Aaron Goodwin was dismissed from his position at the Portsmouth Police Department in 2015 after a review led by a judge revealed that he violated the code of ethics established for police officers during a dispute involving a $2.7 million inheritance. The committee determined that Goodwin should have rejected an elderly woman’s offer of her estate and that he neglected to inform his superiors about this offer. Ultimately, a judge revoked the inheritance, labeling Goodwin’s intentions as “self-serving” when he befriended the elderly woman, who was over 90 years old and suffering from dementia.