PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- Maine's attorney general is charging former Maine Turnpike executive director Paul Violette with theft.
Spokeswoman Brenda Kielty said Violette is being charged with obtaining unauthorized control over Maine Turnpike Authority property in the form of gift cards or charges for personal travel, meals and other expenses on turnpike authority credit cards with a total value in excess of $10,000.
Violette's 23-year reign as the executive director of the Maine Turnpike came crashing down with his resignation in March amid allegations of lavish spending and misappropriation of turnpike funds.
Violette has agreed to pay the authority $155,000 of his own money to settle a civil lawsuit.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)