PORTLAND — The Maine Turnpike Authority today says it agreed to a settlement with former director Paul Violette for alleged misconduct.
The turnpike authority will receive $430,000 from Violette and two bonding companies. Violette will pay $155,000, Travelers Casualty $175,000 and CNA Surety $100,000.
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Violette said under oath his payment is equivalent to his present net worth, according to the turnpike authority.
The authority characterized the amount as the full reimbursement for the damages that could have been proved at trial.
“We have recovered the money to which we are entitled and plan to reinvest it back into turnpike operations,” MTA Board Chairman Daniel Wathen said in a prepared statement.
Wathen said the settlement is independent of any criminal investigation or actions that may be taken by state Attorney General’s Office.
Peter DeTroy, Violette’s lawyer, said his client is not admitting to any of the allegations in the lawsuit.
“He has an interest in trying to resolve those claims, particularly with other potential matters he may be facing,” DeTroy said.
Violette did not immediately return a phone call to his home seeking comment this afternoon. He would not answer questions at a legistlative hearing in April, citing his right against self-incrimination.
In a lawsuit filed in July, the turnpike authority accused Violette of lying about $161,000 worth of vacation and sick time, redeeming at least $64,800 worth of gift cards for personal use and making tens of thousands of dollars in improper credit-card charges.
Violette’s 23-year tenure at the turnpike authority ended with his resignation in March, following a report by the Legislature’s Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability.
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