There are supposed to be no strange faces around Block Island once the summer tourists leave.
The 1,000 or so year-round inhabitants all seem to know each other, just as many of their parents and grandparents did on this largely undeveloped refuge 13 miles off the Rhode Island coast.On Tuesday, however, one of the island's best known faces - that of its top elected official - became less familiar.
Edward McGovern, a 14-year councilman running unopposed in next week's election, was charged along with two other men in the rape of a 21-year-old woman who worked at his tavern.
McGovern, 48, restaurateur Jack Capizzano, 41, and Phil O'Donnell, 30, a chef on Block Island, were arraigned on a sexual assault charge that carries a minimum penalty of 10 years and up to life in prison.
"It's sad here. Everybody knows everybody," said one year-round resident who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The sadness turned to anger for 14 people who protested outside Town Hall on Tuesday, demanding McGovern's resignation.
"It's been a terrible embarrassment for our community," Cathy Payne said. "It's shameful. It's a disgrace."
Others worried about bad publicity for the island, whose population swells with tourists in the summer.
"We're a very small microcosm of what exists on the other side, and when something like this happens it calls attention to the island that is very bad. Who wants that?" said Phyllis Holmes, a year-round resident.
Some, however, rushed to support McGovern, citing his good leadership as the lead councilman in a town with no mayor.
"The council said, `We're with you until proven guilty. We think you should continue doing your work,' " said David Holt, the town manager.
The three accused men, who were not required to enter a plea, each posted $5,000 bail and quickly left out a side door of the court. The charges will be brought before a grand jury.
The accuser, who had jobs at McGovern's Yellow Kittens Tavern and at Capizzano's Pizza, told police she was offered a mixed drink while she was helping clean up the tavern after closing Oct. 6.
McGovern started stroking her leg and Capizzano tried to touch her, she told police. She claimed that McGovern followed her to a ladies' room, where she passed out.
When she woke up, the three men huddled around her, removing her clothes and attacking her, police said. She said she was unable to fight them off.
Capizzano went to the woman's apartment later that day to apologize, and O'Donnell and McGovern tried to contact her before she went to police, court documents show.
Capizzano later told police that he and the other two men had consensual sex with the woman, according to court documents.
Richard Bicki, Capizzano's lawyer, said his client was innocent.
"We believe he will be exonerated. We further believe the charges will be shown to be false and misleading," Bicki said.
McGovern's lawyer did not return phone calls, and a call to O'Donnell's lawyer was not answered after business hours.
McGovern told town officials two weeks ago after the accusations were first reported that he may have to leave office to defend himself, Holt said.