The Lisbon Reporter

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Corruption Charges Confounds Chelsea Community Chair

As reported in today's Kennebec Journal.

Chelsea selectwoman faces forgery, other charges

Charges include forgery, theft

By Mechele Cooper mcooper@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer
AUGUSTA — The Kennebec County Sheriff's Office has arrested Carole Swan, chairman of the Chelsea Board of Selectmen, on charges of aggravated forgery, attempted theft and improper compensation for services.

click image to enlarge
Staff photo by Andy Molloy

ARRESTED: Chelsea Selectman Carole Swan, second from right, is led to Kennebec County jail Thursday in handcuffs are being arrested at the sheriff's office in Augusta. Swan was accompanied by, from left, her husband, Marshall Swan; after Kennebec County Sheriff's Department Detective David Bucknam; and Sheriff Randy Liberty.

Related headlines

Chelsea official faces forgery probe

The sheriff's office made the arrest today. Swan was later released on $25,000 bail, according to Sheriff Randall A. Liberty.

Liberty said the sheriff’s office was notified of a possible theft of funds on Jan. 31 belonging to the town of Chelsea. Upon further investigation, Det. Dave Bucknam learned that Swan, a 19-year selectman for Chelsea, had been attempting to overpay a town road contractor with the intent of a kickback.

As the investigation developed, Bucknam was able to obtain audio recordings and visual observations of a $20,000 transaction and attempted $10,000 kickback to Swan.

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