The Lisbon Reporter

WELCOME TO THE LISBON REPORTER. In an effort to keep our community informed of what is going on at local and Federal levels of government, we decided to create this on-line newspaper. It is our hope that this on-line newspaper will help you stay informed so that you can get involved and take action for the benefit of our ENTIRE community. Thank you for visiting and please check back frequently for information about what is happening in LISBON/LISBON FALLS, MAINE USA

Friday, March 2, 2012

Could Lisbon Be Next?

Former Chelsea selectwoman accused of corruption, illegally collecting workers’ comp in indictment

By BDN staff and wire reports, The Associated Press

Posted March 01, 2012, at 1:21 p.m.

PORTLAND, Maine — Federal officials in Maine say a former selectwoman from Chelsea has been indicted on extortion, tax evasion and fraud charges.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Thursday that a grand jury has indicted Carole Swan, 53, and her husband, Marshall Swan, 54.

The indictment accuses Carole Swan of using her position as a Chelsea selectwoman to extort $20,000 from a local construction company. She also is charged with fraud for charging the town $130,000 for culvert pipe that actually cost her and her husband’s construction company, which was doing culvert work for the town, only $58,000.

She also is charged with making false statements to obtain workers’ compensation benefits.

In 2009, Swan stated on a workers’ compensation form that she had not worked for any employer or been self-employed in the prior 24 months, but she had worked at her construction company and a horse racing business, according to the indictment. She also “materially under-reported the hours she worked on the Board of Selectmen for the Town of Chelsea,” the indictment states.

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