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February 9

Ex-turnpike chief pleads guilty to theft

The Associated Press

PORTLAND — The former head of the Maine Turnpike Authority pleaded guilty today to theft for the unauthorized use of turnpike funds.

Paul Violette, former executive director of the Maine Turnpike Authority appears before the Legislature's Government Oversight Committee in this April 2011 photo.

AP

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Paul Violette entered the plea in Cumberland County Unified Criminal Court in Portland today. He was charged with the unauthorized use of turnpike gift cards and using turnpike authority credit cards for personal travel, meals and other expenses.

Violette's attorney has said Violette has agreed to plead guilty in exchange for a prison sentence not to exceed five years. Violette will be sentenced in 60 days.

Violette resigned last March after 23 years as executive director amid allegations of lavish spending and misappropriation of turnpike funds.

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