Law Enforcement Lobbyist Arrested On Assault, Other Charges

MANCHESTER, NH — A partner in a well-known New Hampshire lobbying firm who represents two law enforcement organizations and a gun control group was arrested recently on multiple charges at his home in the Queen City. Robert Blaisdell, 44, of Union Street in Manchester, was arrested on May 2, 2019, and charged with domestic violence-simple assault, false imprisonment, and criminal mischief. According to court documents and scanner chatter, a large police presence was sent to a Union Street address at around 9 p.m. for an incident that had escalated from a domestic disturbance.

When they arrived and after conducting an investigation, police charged Blaisdell with three counts. They allege that he “knowingly” confined a family member “so as to substantially interfere with their ability to physically movement by holding the laundry room door closed over a period of several minutes” when the person tried to leave the room. Blaisdell is also accused of stepping on the person’s hand during the disturbance. Court documents also allege that he grabbed the victim’s cellphone and “using his hands in a twisting motion thus cracking the screen and rendering the phone useless, causing damages in excess of $100.”

Blaisdell is a well-known fixture at the Statehouse in Concord as a lobbyist as a managing partner for Demers, Blaisdell & Parsol Inc. Blaisdell. According to his biography, he serves on a number of boards, including the Manchester Parks & Recreation Department, and was recognized as to the New Hampshire Union Leader’s 40 Under 40 list in 2005.

Some of Blaisdell clients this year included the NH Troopers Association, NH Police Association, NH Court Reporters Association, Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund, and businesses such as Walmart, Eversource, Tufts Health Freedom Plan, Bank of America, FedEx, and NH Wine and Spirits Brokers Assoc., according to the Secretary of State’s lobbyist registration website.

Blaisdell was arraigned and entered a plea of not guilty on May 6, and is due back in court on July 1. He was released on bail and ordered to stay away from the home and the victim.

Blaisdell did not response to an email seeking comment at post time.

Editor's note: This post was derived from info supplied by the Manchester Police Department and Manchester District Court. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for New Hampshire’s Patch police reports.