We Probed For The Missing $32,500 From Econ. Develop. And This Is What We Have, So Far

Dan Feeney and Judges during Moxie 2007

By: Peter Reuter

The Lisbon Reporter

It is important to understand the timeline involved with the misappropriation of $32,500.00 dollars to the Atlantic Commercial Cleaners in March 2007 from the Economy Community Development Department (ECD). 

1. Rodney Moody signed check to Atlantic Commercial Cleaners – March 2007 and handed to Daniel Feeney

2. Dan Feeney was Director        28 June 1989 – 13 April 2007

3.Unofficial Director Dale Crafts    14 April 2007 – 29 July 2007

4. Jennifer Norris was Director   30 July 2007 – 4 January 2008

5. Chief Brooks Interim Town Manager    21 August 2007 – 31 December 2007


Now we have a timeline and the players involved, let’s reconstruct the events that followed:

1. Jennifer Norris notifies Brooks, the Interim Town Manager, in August 2007.

2. Brooks conducts an investigation of the situation.  How can this NOT be a conflict of interest?  Why was an independent investigator NOT appointed because this was during Chief Brook’s tour of duty as Interim Town Manager?

3.    Completed investigation turned over to Androscoggin County District Attorney and a Grand Jury was established and an indictment was filed on 9 April 2008.

4. Case was also forwarded to Brian McMasters (personal friend of Brooks), at the Maine Attorney General’s office for possible other violations.

5. On October 8, 2008, the Androscoggin County District Attorney dismissed the indictment.

6. Brian McMaster sent a letter to the Androscoggin County District Attorney stating insufficient evidence to bring to trial.

If an independent investigation was conducted, there could have been a different result because it is known:

1. Who authorized & issued the check to the Atlantic Commercial Cleaners.

2. Who received the check and whom cashed the check.

3. Atlantic Commercial Cleaners was a partnership between Daniel Feeney and someone whom we have not been told per Eldridge.

4. Equipment was purchased with this money (a high tech sandblaster which uses walnuts or baking soda to restore vehicles) per Eldridge.

5. A Promissory Note was issued in March 2007 and the town has never received a payment on this loan.
I believe Chief Brooks intentionally botched the investigation in order to cover for other individuals known to him.  A councilor or other high ranking officials of the town possibly?

  Let’s look for someone who had means, motive and opportunity.

Daniel Feeney was the director when the money was misappropriated and he restored vehicles.  So who was his partner, possibly someone who shared his same interest or could benefit from such an expensive machine? 

Because there is no statute of limitations on fraud, why doesn’t the Town of Lisbon appoint an independent commission outside of the town to investigate the real circumstances into the misappropriation of this money?

Would the Town of Lisbon get a different result?  
I believe it would and I believe we would finally identify all the players involved.

Why is the Town of Lisbon not filing a civil law suit to recover the money?  

Are they waiting for the statute of limitation to run out on a civil case?  

The cases is four years old; or are they afraid if this goes to trial all the players will finally be identified?

Dale, any idea who the silent partner is?