PAWTUCKET, R.I. — An off-duty Pawtucket police officer is accused of punching a 73-year-old bathroom attendant at Foxwoods Resort Casino because "the water was too cold" for washing his hands.

Michael Tousignant, 36, was charged by Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Police with assaulting an elderly person, a class A misdemeanor. He was arraigned in New London, Connecticut on April 10.

Tribal Police Chief William Dittman said the assault appeared unprovoked. Tousignant was in a bathroom near Cedars Restaurant the night of April 1 when he started to wash his hands, the chief said.

"He said the water was too cold, and then he turned around and smacked the guy," Dittman said Monday.

Tousignant then left the bathroom, Dittman said, and his friends were overheard saying, "Let's get out of here."

Instead, witnesses called for help for the attendant, who had a bloody nose and facial injuries, and Tousignant was arrested, Dittman said.

While the police were booking Tousignant, he told them he was a Pawtucket police officer.

Tousignant has been with the city department for about 10 years, after previously serving as a military police officer in the Army Reserves.

A reporter's call to Pawtucket Police Chief Paul King was referred to Major Tina Goncavles, who did not respond to a call and email for comment on Tousigant's status Monday afternoon.

amilkovi@providencejournal.com

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