Patrick Leeman, 35, of Bristol, a long-time bookkeeper for Damariscotta Auto Repair, faces a charge of Class C theft by unauthorized taking in connection with allegations he stole from the company.
Leeman allegedly stole from the shop’s credit/debit card account, according to the complaint on file in Lincoln County Superior Court. He pleaded not guilty July 1.
The investigating officer, Jennifer Mitkus of the Damariscotta Police Dept., declined to provide details of the case.
Damariscotta Auto Repair owner Lowell Simmons said Leeman stole approximately $35,000 from the business.
Simmons described Leeman as a former part-time bookkeeper for the shop who had been “helping me out pretty much since I started my business” in 2003.
Simmons would often repair Leeman’s vehicles in exchange for accounting help, he said.
Leeman began redirecting credit card payments to Damariscotta Auto Repair into his personal account around April 2010, Simmons said.
Simmons didn’t notice the disparity until months later, while looking at the credit/debit card account online, he said. He reported the theft, of slightly over $10,000, in Nov. 2010.
In addition to stealing funds from the credit/debit card account, Leeman used a Damariscotta Auto Repair debit card for thousands of dollars in personal expenditures, including furniture and meals at various restaurants, Simmons said.
The complaint on file in Lincoln County Superior Court charges that Leeman, “on or about Nov. 16, 2010… did commit theft by obtaining or exercising unauthorized control over” money from the shop’s account “of a value more than $1000.”
In Maine, a Class C crime is punishable by up to five years incarceration and a $5000 fine.
Leeman made his initial appearance in Lincoln County Superior Court July 11. The case is likely to go before a grand jury in August, officials said.
Leeman’s bail conditions forbid him from entering Damariscotta Auto Repair or contacting Simmons.
Leeman volunteers with local organizations including the Boy Scouts and Youth Promise. According to his Facebook profile, he works as a “direct support professional” for WKS, Inc. The company, according to its website, provides services to people with developmental and acquired disabilities.
Simmons said Leeman is also a former employee of The First, a bank with branches in four Lincoln County towns.
Leeman’s defense attorney, Thomas Berry of Boothbay Harbor, did not return a message left July 19. The Lincoln County office of District Attorney Geoff Rushlau did not return a message left July 19.
