No criminal charges will be filed in connection with public funds reported missing on Chebeague Island, according to town officials and the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

Town officials had asked the sheriff’s office to investigate after “several thousand dollars” were found to be unaccounted for in December. The money had been missing since the previous spring, but town officials have not said exactly how much money is involved, how the shortfall happened and how it was discovered.

Other than saying criminal charges had been ruled out, no further information was provided Monday.

“After several weeks of investigation and financial analysis of the evidence, the case was referred back to Chebeague Island town officials for further consideration and evaluation. At this time, no criminal charges will be filed in the case,” Lt. Donald Foss said in a prepared statement.

Foss said the money was missing from a town account but provided no other details.

Marjorie Stratton, the town administrator, said the town is no longer investigating the missing money, but is taking steps to improve the town’s accounting methods.

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“We are looking at the procedures for cash receipting and making sure internal controls are good enough to eliminate any perception of wrongdoing,” Stratton said Monday.

Chebeague Island, the newest town in Maine, broke away from Cumberland in 2007 after 186 years as part of the Portland suburb.

Christopher Loder, chairman of the Chebeague Island Board of Selectman, responded to a request for additional information by referring to the town’s brief news release.

“The Town Administrator and the Board of Selectmen have taken action to improve the accounting methods and further implement best practices,” it said.

Selectmen David Hill and Pete Pellerin did not respond to emails seeking comment Monday.


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