Claudia Viles, the former Anson tax collector convicted last month of embezzling more than $500,000 from the Anson Town Office, is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 31 in Somerset County Superior Court in Skowhegan, according to the prosecutor in the case.

Viles, 66, was found guilty on 13 charges by a 12-person jury June 22 in Somerset County Superior Court. The charges include class B felony theft and 12 misdemeanors, including six counts of failure to pay Maine state income taxes, five counts of failure to make and file income tax returns and tampering with public records.

Assistant Attorney General Leanne Robbin, the case prosecutor, said Wednesday that she could not comment on what the state is seeking for a prison sentence or whether restitution would be sought, until after a sentencing memorandum is filed with the court.

Class B theft is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000. The other charges are class D misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Viles’ attorney, Walter McKee, could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon.

During the three-day trial, witnesses included current and former Town Office employees who testified that Viles was solely responsible for collection and reconciliation of excise tax payments while serving as elected tax collector.

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McKee argued that she was innocent and that a lack of security measures at the Town Office contributed to an environment where anyone could have taken the money.

The town auditor also testified that the amount of money collected by Viles and the amount deposited in town accounts differed by $500,948 between 2010 and 2015. Robbin said after the trial that Viles’ theft “puts her in a league of her own” among municipal embezzlement cases in Maine and that it is one of the largest in state history.

Rachel Ohm — 612-2368

rohm@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @rachel_ohm


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