The former town manager of Ogunquit is headed for trial next week on charges stemming from the alleged theft of town parking fees.

Thomas Fortier allegedly used teenage town workers who were on his baseball team to collect $400 in parking fees in Ogunquit on July 4, 2016, after the town lots were supposed to stop taking payments for the holiday.

He is also accused of pocketing the money himself instead of turning it over to the town.

Thomas Fortier

Fortier was summoned in August 2016 after an investigation by Wells police. Wells police were called in by Ogunquit officials who wanted to avoid questions about any conflicts of interest involving an investigation of a town official.

Fortier was placed on paid leave after he was summoned, and resigned in February under a deal that called on the town to continue paying his salary through the end of June.

Jury selection in the case is scheduled for Tuesday in York County Superior Court and the trial will begin Nov. 27.

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Court officials have scheduled the trial to run all next week.

Fortier was a controversial figure in Ogunquit, where he was hired as town manager in 2009.

Defenders said he was an effective leader who kept taxes down in the oceanside town.

But his personal finances drew criticism after he borrowed money from elected town officials, although the loans were repaid.

He was also a suspect in the 2012 theft of $10,200 in Memorial Day weekend parking receipts from a town hall safe, but no one was ever charged.

Edward D. Murphy can be contacted at 791-6465 or at:

emurphy@pressherald.com


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