PORTLAND ( AP) — The former Maine Turnpike executive director who stole tens of thousands of dollars of turnpike funds is seeking a sentence that’ll put him behind bars for a year or less.
Paul Violette, who will be sentenced today in Cumberland County Superior Court, is requesting a term of 30 months but with most of it suspended. His sentence is capped at five years under a plea agreement, and prosecutors are seeking the full five years.
Violette was executive director of the Maine Turnpike Authority for 23 years before he resigned amid allegations of lavish spending and misappropriation of funds.
He pleaded guilty in February to theft for unauthorized use of turnpike gift cards and using turnpike authority credit cards for personal travel, meals and other expenses.
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