The Ogunquit Select Board met in a closed executive session Tuesday night to hear findings from an independent investigator tasked with looking into theft charges against town manager Thomas A. Fortier.

Board members declined to comment following the three-hour meeting except to say they had not taken any action. Town attorney Peter Lowe has said details of the investigator’s report are confidential under state law.

Fortier attended the closed-door session along with his attorneys. He emerged briefly to meet with acting town manager Mark O’Brien then exited through a side door, dodging waiting reporters.

Fortier, 51, who lives in Falmouth, has been on paid administrative leave since August. That month Wells police issued Fortier a misdemeanor summons after they found he had ordered a town-owned parking lot to stay open late on July 4th then failed to turn over the parking fees. Wells police investigated the incident at the request of Ogunquit police.

Fortier told town employees to keep collecting parking fees after 4 p.m. when the lot is typically free, Wells Police Chief Jo-Ann Putnam said in August. She wouldn’t identify the lot, but said it’s commonly used by residents who are going to see Independence Day fireworks. Putnam said the money was then “taken by Mr. Fortier” and not turned over to town officials. She declined to say how much money was involved.

Fortier pleaded not guilty in York District Court on Oct. 27 to misdemeanor charges of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, and official oppression, which involves an official seeking to benefit himself or harm another by committing “an unauthorized act which purports to be an act of his office.”

This month, WMTW-TV reported the FBI is investigating the town, though town officials have denied that claim.

Staff Writer Edward D. Murphy contributed to this report.

Kate McCormick can be contacted at 791-6304 or at:

kmccormick@pressherald.com

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