Conn. lawyer gets probation for bomb threat at GOP fundraiser attended by Linda McMahon

A Connecticut lawyer has avoided prison time for calling in a bomb threat to a 2010 Republican fundraiser attended by U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon.

The New Haven Register reports (http://bit.ly/xH0MJA) that a Superior Court judge granted accelerated rehabilitation Thursday to 70-year-old James Byrne of Madison. The program for first-time offenders charged with less-serious crimes results in charges being dismissed after the successful completion of probation.

Authorities say Byrne called police in September 2010 to report a bomb at the Madison home of Tom and Eileen Banisch, who were hosting a political gala featuring McMahon. The threat forced the evacuation of the house,

Prosecutors say Byrne and Tom Banisch were involved in a dispute while both were on the Republican Town Committee.

Byrne apologized for the incident in court Thursday.

source: therepublic.com