theft

Paul Violette, the 23-year executive director of the Maine Turnpike now has a criminal charge to face - felony theft of gift cards, travel, meals and other personal indulgences on the Turnpike's account. The AP is reporting this from the state attorney-general's office. A spokesman is quoted as saying the charge specifies thievery of "more than $10,000."

Apparently Violette is pleading guilty.

Two former toll collectors at the New Jersey Turnpike got sentenced to 364 days in county jail plus several years probation for working a racket with toll tickets.

Glenn Huryan, 55 and William Fagan, 62 dismissed toll collectors on the New Jersey Turnpike have pled guilty to "theft by unlawful taking" in Camden in south Jersey. A third fired collector John Fillipine, 58 has charges pending.

A toll collector was arrested for stealing tolls yesterday at the Leesburg mainline plaza in Lake County Florida. Seerajn Dhoray, 58, an employee of Faneuil Group, toll collection contractor to Florida's Turnpike, was charged with "grand theft" (see comment below) following two weeks in which his thievery was observed.