Frank Monroe of Whitefield had no comment this week concerning his role in legal action against Chelsea’s Board of Selectmen chairman. Carole Swan was arrested last week on charges of trying to steal money from the town.
Monroe, snowplow contractor for Chelsea since 2006, said the matter “is under investigation.”
Kennebec County Sheriff Randal Liberty said Swan “suggested that (Monroe) overcharge for services rendered to the town so she could get a kickback. He notified law enforcement about it.”
Swan was arrested after turning herself in last Thursday. She posted $25,000 bail and the case is expected to go to the grand jury within two months, according to the district attorney.
According to published reports, Monroe told Kennebec County deputies Swan pressured him last February to pay her $3000. Last fall, she persuaded him to pay her $7000. Recently Swan allegedly asked him to charge the town for about 1700 cubic yards of sand but to deliver only 500 yard. When the town paid him for the larger amount, he was to hand her $10,000 from that payment.
At that point, Monroe notified the sheriff’s department.
District Attorney Evert Fowle confirmed Tuesday the charges against Swan are aggravated forgery, attempted theft, and two counts of improper compensation for services.
Asked whether a charge of extortion might apply regarding Monroe’s payments to Swan, Fowle said, “We selected charges that most accurately describe her alleged conduct. There are several charges that might fit but our job is to select the charges that are most on point.”
Fowle added, “We regard Monroe as a witness and a victim, not a defendant. He came forward, so we obviously want to encourage people to come forward and not be worried about whether they’ll be prosecuted. He did the right thing and I commend him for that.”
