WINDHAM, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Paul Violette, the former executive director of the Maine Turnpike Authority, has begun to serve his sentence for stealing up to $230,000 from the agency.
Violette was sentenced a week ago to serve 3 and a half years in prison. He didn't have to begin that sentence until today.
He is being held at the Windham Correctional Facility.
He pleaded guilty to stealing the money by using gift cards that had been paid for with Turnpike Authority funds. He used those cards for lavish trips, meals, spa treatments -- and even used a Turnpike Authority credit card on an advance at a casino.
NEWS CENTER