GRAY – Peter Bragdon, 33, of Gray, was sentenced earlier this week for stealing $8,902 from the Maine Chapter of the Sons of AMVETS (American Veterans). Androscoggin County Superior Court Justice MaryGay Kennedy sentenced Bragdon to three years in jail with all but 18 months suspended, and two years of probation, according to Maine Attorney General’s Office.

Bragdon, a former dispatcher for the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office, was the commander of the Maine AMVETS chapter. Bragdon maintained access to the group’s bank account after he was forced to resign in 2009 due to alleged poor management and misconduct. He stole money from the account for nearly two years after his resignation, police say.

AMVETS, a national veterans and community service organization, provides outreach and support to veterans and their families.

Bragdon will be immediately paying back a portion of the money he stole.

Bragdon is also awaiting sentencing in the Kennebec County Superior Court after pleading guilty to unrelated income tax charges of forgery, intentional tax evasion, and attempted theft by deception of an income tax refund. Bragdon previously pleaded guilty in the Lewiston District Court to the charge of negotiating a worthless instrument and is awaiting sentencing on that charge, as well.

“AMVETS has a proud tradition of helping veterans and sponsoring programs that serve our citizens and our country,” said Attorney General William Schneider. “Stealing from a volunteer-led charitable organization that contributes so much to the local community is intolerable and we are pleased that justice was served in this case.”

These cases were investigated and prosecuted by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, the Mechanic Fall’s Police Department, the Androscoggin County District Attorney’s Office, and Maine Revenue Services.