PRST-STD U.S. Postage PAID Hopkinton, MA 01748 Permit No. 109 ECRWSS Postal Patron
HOPKINTON INDEPENDENT Vol. 27 | No. 2 | January 28, 2026
Sismanis victim files suit against town, police chief By Nick Schofield Contributing Writer
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PHOTO/ROB HUMMEL
WINTER WONDERLAND
Diana, a 3-year-old, makes her way along Center Trail after a recent snowstorm.
By Mary Ellen Gambon Staff Writer
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PHOTO/HOPKINTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Mitchell | 8
Sismanis | 5
INSIDE
Marathon VP charged after casino fight n elementary school assistant principal recently placed on administrative leave by the Hopkinton Public Schools was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution in a criminal case last year. Eric Mitchell, the Marathon School assistant principal, was accused of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on an elderly disabled veteran and disorderly conduct at a Plainville casino last year. Criminal charges against him were filed by the commonwealth in Wrentham District Court on Aug. 10, 2024, according to court documents.
ourt documents reveal that the victim in the case against former Hillers Pizza owner Petros “Peter” Sismanis has filed a lawsuit against Sismanis, the Town of Hopkinton, and Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett. NBC10 Boston broke the story about the lawsuit on Jan. 12. Christopher Waterman, the victim’s attorney, told NBC10 the purpose of the lawsuit is to hold parties accountable “for their actions and inactions,” which the suit alleges resulted in the victim’s assault. Sismanis was convicted last June of indecent assault of a person over 14 years of age and two counts of witness intimidation. The charges stem from an incident in January 2023 when the Hillers Pizza owner grabbed and kissed the 16-year-old employee in the restaurant’s basement. After the teen attempted to leave the establishment with her mother, Sismanis repeatedly blocked them from leaving the 77 West Main Street plaza.
Eric Mitchell, who was placed on administrative leave earlier this month from his job as Marathon School assistant principal, recently was given probation for his role in a casino fight that left a 62-yearold veteran with severe injuries.
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