ABINGTON, Mass. (AP) — The chairman of the school committee in Abington, Massachusetts, is apologising for a magic trick he performed before a televised meeting this week in which he appeared to tear the bra off a fellow committee member through her clothes.

The trick was performed by Russell Fitzgerald, an amateur magician known to open meetings with a little sleight of hand. It was met with stunned silence.

The Enterprise of Brockton reports that Fitzgerald issued a written apology.

He says he is sorry for the embarrassment he caused committee member Ellen Killian and his unwitting accomplice, teacher Steve Shannon. He also says he will no longer perform tricks before meetings.