McGee cleared in Fla. assault case

Carl Stanley McGee, assistant secretary for policy and planning in Gov. Deval Patrick's administration, is in the clear. The state attorney's office in Lee County, Florida, has decided not to press charges against McGee for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy. The office was unable to get DNA evidence or witnesses to back up the alleged victim's story, leading the office to conclude that they would be unable to bring a successful case against McGee. What remains unclear is whether McGee will resume his post in the Patrick administration. He has been on leave since January 7.

McGee was arrested on Dec. 28, 2007 for allegedly sexually assaulting the teen in the steam room at the Gasparilla Inn on Boca Grande. Samantha Syoen, spokeswoman for State Attorney Stephen Russell, declined to comment, but she provided Bay Windows a copy of a memo produced by Assistant State Attorney Francine Donnorummo outlining her decision to drop the case.

Among the factors that prompted the office not to pursue the case was the lack of evidence that the alleged victim resisted McGee.

"Although the child is relatively consistent in his rendition of what happened in Florida, and is relatively credible about some sex act occurring in the steam room, the force/fear factor would be unsubstantiated by the evidence presented by the child," wrote Donnorummo.

She also explains that there was no physical evidence to prove that the assault took place or to prove that McGee and the alleged victim were both in the steam room at the same time. Police did not collect towels from the steam room to test for DNA evidence, nor was the steam room itself examined for forensic evidence. The teenager told police there was a man sleeping outside the steam room who might have been able to corroborate his story, but police were unable to identify this man. There were no security cameras in the area and no sign-in forms for the steam room.

"As a result, I do not believe that there is sufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Consistent with our legal and ethical considerations, I am therefore declining to file formal charges," wrote Donnorummo.

Charles Rankin, the attorney representing McGee, did not return a call to comment for this story. The Patrick administration has thus far been silent about whether McGee will return to work. Darrell LeMar, a spokesperson for the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, said the office expected to release a statement on McGee in the near future, but as of March 24 no such statement has been released.