WOBURN -- A high-dollar Democratic Party donor under investigation for trespassing at Massachusetts Republican Party headquarters before threatening to "return with a weapon" was formally arraigned Wednesday morning on a charge of disorderly conduct.
Additionally, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan's office also confirmed they will ask the judge assigned to the case to reconsider a previous request denied by a magistrate to charge Nahant attorney Hugh Samson, a longtime major donor to Democrat candidates and causes, with threatening to commit violence.
Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jim Lyons on Wednesday thanked the district attorney's office and the Woburn Police Department for their "continued pursuit to hold Mr. Samson accountable for his criminal behavior."
Samson is due to appear before a Woburn District Court judge via videoconference on June 14 at 9 a.m. for a pretrial hearing.
The incident occurred on Feb. 9 when Samson, donned in a pink mask, walked into MassGOP headquarters unannounced and barged into a conference room where staffers were meeting. Multiple eyewitness reports claim Samson identified himself by name before pulling out his phone to take staffers' photos and later accusing them of being "fascists." Additionally, Samson told staffers he planned on reporting them to law enforcement for not wearing COVID-19 masks and being "breathed on."
Once staff were able to reach police by phone, Samson exited the office, but not before shouting, "what if I came back with a weapon?"
An employee of another business across the hall witnessed the exchange. From her office window overlooking the parking lot, the employee was able to spot Samson driving away from the building in a black Toyota Prius.
A search of federal and state campaign finance reports show Samson has donated more than $150,000 to Democrats and Democrat Party causes over the last several decades.
Between now and Samson's Feb. 9 incident, Federal Election Commission contribution records show that Samson donated more than $6,300 to political action committees and other outfits aligned with the Democrat Party.
Samson has been ordered to stay away from MassGOP headquarters, in addition to all employees.
