BIDDEFORD — A charge against one former Saco Recreation Department employee has been dismissed, and a charge against another recreation employee is slated to be dropped.

Summons were issued against former Saco Recreation Director Joseph Hirsch and Recreation Program Director Kevin Lombard on Nov. 1; both were charged with criminal invasion of computer privacy, a class D misdemeanor.

Saco City Administrator Kevin Sutherland sent a memorandum on Oct. 19 that two city employees had left the Parks and Recreation Department due to a breach of city policies. 

Hirsch retired from the department on Oct. 20, according to city records.

Lombard was told by the city on Oct. 20 that a police investigation had been completed and Lombard would be fired from the city if he didn’t resign, which he did that day, according to court documents filed in Biddeford District Court by Lombard’s attorney, James Clifford. 

The charge against Lombard was dismissed on March 12, according to documents filed at Biddeford District Court. Court records state Lombard could be recharged after further review, however, a representative from the York County District Attorney’s office said there are no pending charges against Lombard at this time.

Clifford said in an email on Tuesday that he did not see any legal basis for bringing new criminal charges on the facts presented thus far.  

According to court documents filed by Clifford, Lombard issued another city employee a city owned iPad to use for a work project in January 2017. 

The city employee’s personal text messages were forwarded to the iPad for two months, according to Clifford.

Lombard did admit to police to reading some of the text messages, but was authorized to access the iPad based on the city’s personnel policy. 

According to Biddeford District Court documents, Hirsch was ordered on Feb. 20 to complete 40 hours of community service and pay $500. If he complies with these conditions and does not receive any new criminal charges, the criminal invasion of computer privacy charge will be dismissed after a year. 

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.

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