PORTLAND — Paul Violette, who stole more than $150,000 from the Maine Turnpike Authority while executive director, is apologizing for any damage his actions may have caused to the reputation of the authority.

In a letter to the court, which will be presented at Violette’s sentencing today at 1 p.m. in Cumberland County Unified Court in Portland, the former state legislator says he takes full responsibility for his actions.

Additional Photos

Paul Violette, left, has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $150,000 — possibly as much as $230,000 — from the Maine Turnpike Authority in the form of credit card purchases and gift cards for personal use from 2003 to 2010. Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer

“I owe the people of Maine profound apologies,” his letter says. “I can only hope that they will accept my misdeeds were mine alone and are not reflective of an institution, the Maine Turnpike Authority, which has served Maine people so well for many decades.”

Violette does ask that the court take into account his “abilities and commitment to atone in small part through community service” when it imposes his sentence.

Violette is requesting a term of 30 months but with most of it suspended. His sentence is capped at five years under a plea agreement, and prosecutors are seeking the full five years.

Violette was executive director of the Maine Turnpike Authority for 23 years before he resigned amid allegations of lavish spending and misappropriation of funds.

He pleaded guilty in February to theft for unauthorized use of turnpike gift cards and using turnpike authority credit cards for personal travel, meals and other expenses.

Related Stories