Vince Chowdhury Pleaded Guilty To Assaulting Daughter

DENVER -- A spokeswoman for the Jefferson County School Board said Tuesday that board member Vince Chowdhury, who pleaded guilty to assaulting his daughter, has resigned.

The resignation is effective Thursday, according to a school district spokeswoman Lynn Setzer.

In a written statement, Chowdhury said he was stepping down to focus on personal, family issues.

Chowdhury was asked to resign by his fellow board members in the wake of his arrest and guilty plea for third-degree assault in July.

According to the arrest affidavit, he became angry after his wife and daughter did not open the garage door fast enough.

Chowdhury confronted his daughter, the affidavit said, and slapped her.

He admitted to slapping her but denies her claim that he tried to choke her.

Katherine Chowdhury told authorities that she helped her daughter break free from her father and ordered her to run upstairs and lock herself in a bathroom. Katherine then called 911, and remained on the phone until police arrived.

Chowdhury pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and was given a one-year deferred sentence.

Charges of harassment and violation of a restraining order were dismissed.

"I would like to apologize... especially to my wife and daughter," said a contrite Chowdhury after his hearing.

"The intent was to discipline my child who I felt was being disrespectful to (her) father. I know now there's a better way of handling the situation.

"The school board voted in special session to ask the embattled board member to resign.

In a press release, district officials said, "While they were saddened, they felt they needed to act in the best interest of the district and its students.

"Chowdhury is also running, as a Democrat, for the District 22 house seat. He said he hasn't given any thought to dropping out of the race.

In addition to the one-year deferred sentence, Chowdhury has been ordered to take anger management and parenting classes.

A restraining order which forbids him from contacting his wife and daughter will remain in place unless it is lifted at the request of his family.

The judge modified the order to allow Chowdhury and his wife to communicate by e-mail.