violette

Former Maine Turnpike chief executive Paul Violette is being subpoenaed by the Maine Legislature's Government Oversight Committee to answer questions about nearly half a million dollars in donations made 2005 to 2009 that are sketchily accounted for.

Maine Turnpike board chairman Gerard Conley is a former president of the Maine Senate and a confident, energetic, well-connected and influential figure in the state. Until recently he was Turnpike chief exec Paul Violette's most stalwart ally.

Paul Violette executive director (ED) of the Maine Turnpike for 24 years offered his resignation to the Authority board of directors this morning, and they accepted.

When Paul Violette's name comes up among toll industry people they're liable to say "Remember Madrid." And to recount an amazing Violette performance at the microphone at an IBTTA annual conference some years ago. It was an after-dinner speech. The people there, perhaps 250, just wanted to enjoy their dinner and the company at their table.

There are TV and radio news reports out of Portland Maine that the Turnpike's longtime CEO Paul Violette is resigning. Nothing is confirmed or official but the Turnpike board is meeting today, and they're scheduled to go into a closed "executive session" to discuss personnel matters.