After I was physically attacked by Anthony Fasano, of Council Bluffs, I was put in touch with Sara Thomsen. I don’t know her exact title, but I was told she was the victim advocate for my case and the coordinator between me and the assistant Pottawattamie county attorney assigned to my case, Mimi Dobson.

After a conversation with Sara my understanding was that Anthony Fasano was trying to secure a plea deal based on his character and no history of violence or other issues. As he was married to my sister, I knew a different side of him, including that in spring of 2018 he physically threatened me and my brother, while on his honeymoon. My sister was at least 7 months pregnant at the time. He was throwing things and screaming. I was in fear for my sister and unborn nephew’s life that day. I have texts to back this up if there is a question of legitimacy. So I wrote an email to Sara with screenshots of
this and other violent incidents or statements I had screenshot proof to show his character.

Little did I know, Mimi Dobson would then FORWARD this exact email to his attorney. Who would email it to my attacker and his wife(my sister). This gave MY ATTACKER an email address he didn’t have. It gave him access to words I wrote. I am shaking at this. Please remember, this man had a no contact order at this time, and it was extended for another 5 years. Well the court “forgot” to file the extension at first, but we will come back to that in another post.

I assume this is legal? I mean, you wouldn’t think they would forward it if it wasn’t legal, but the better question is: how is this legal?!?! I just found this out so I am rather upset and may have more to say once I have my thoughts together, but two main points stand out.

1. This puts such a target on my back. Anthony Fasano threatened to KILL ME. His physical attack left me with a hip injury that required surgery. They gave him a plea deal that basically lets him walk. I didn’t think it was fair that a one sided view (his) was being presented for reference to character and past. Yet, speaking up exposed me to the same man that attacked me and threatened to kill me? To me, the assistant county attorney threw me under the bus. It was like, oh it’s the victim’s fault we know about these other violent issues and she’s the reason you are not getting the even better plea deal. 100% I feel violated. Anthony Fasano threatened to kill me. He held keys to my throat. He manhandled me to the point I needed hip surgery. And now, he has even more reason to want revenge on me. Something I will discuss in future posts.

And I get, had this went to trial, I would have been exposed. But since it wasn’t a trial, everything I said or provided was exposed, but every defense he gave and the justice system took as truth is hidden.

2. I now wonder, what other information did I send that was forwarded to him? Did I ever mention my home address? Did I mention plans or where I would be? Did they forward him info about my surgery? Did he know where I went for therapy? Did he know about the updates I sent them? What else did they expose?

I never imagined that when emailing a VICTIM ADVOCATE my words would be sent straight to the man who attacked me. It’s gross. It doesn’t seem safe. I feel violated. I feel exposed. I suppose, at no point did they promise me privacy, but at no point did they tell me we will forward your emails to your attacker. He will have access to your email address. He will have access to your words. To me, that should not be acceptable or legal. 

So if you are a victim BE AWARE: what you tell your victim advocate. It may be sent to your attacker.  Including giving them access to your email address.  And any other information you put in that email.