AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider announced that former Maine Turnpike Authority Executive Director Paul E. Violette, 56, of Portland was sentenced today to seven years in prison, all but three and one-half years suspended, for the theft of Maine Turnpike Authority funds.

Violette pled guilty in February to one Class B theft charge involving his unauthorized use of gift cards and credit cards purchased with Turnpike Authority funds for personal travel, meals and other expenses. Class B theft is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider announced that Peter R. Bragdon, 33, of Gray, was sentenced today for stealing $8,902 from the Maine Chapter of Sons of AMVETS (American Veterans). Androscoggin County Superior Court Justice MaryGay Kennedy sentenced Bragdon to three years of incarceration with all but 18 months suspended, and two years of probation.

Attorney General Schneider Will Attend Oral Argument

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider, 25 other attorneys general, the National Federation of Independent Business and four individual plaintiffs will begin an unprecedented six hours of oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the Federal Government?s Health Care Act.

Paul Clement, former U.S. Solicitor General, will argue on behalf of the states. The argument schedule is as follows:

Monday, March 26

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider is warning people with diabetes to beware of a medical scam involving diabetic supplies. Recent reports in Maine involve telephone calls from someone claiming to be from Medicare who offers diabetic and other medical supplies in exchange for Medicare information. Some Medicare consumers have received diabetic supplies that were never ordered and even after repeatedly informing the mail order company that they purchase their diabetic supplies at a local pharmacy, the shipments continued.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider announced today that lawsuits have been filed against two home repair contractors for taking money from consumers and failing to perform as promised.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider announced that the owner of a Derry, New Hampshire sports complex was sentenced today for his role in a large-scale bottle redemption fraud scheme.

Dennis Reed, 67, pled guilty to nine Class E thefts and one Class D theft in York County Superior Court and was ordered to serve 72 hours in jail and pay a $10,000 civil penalty.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider announced that Ryan J. Byther, age 36, of Scarborough, was found guilty today of stealing $50,000 from the American Legion Post 56 of York. After a two day trial, a York County Superior Court jury returned a guilty verdict on a one-count indictment that charged Byther with Class B Theft by Deception.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider announced that a former Medway man was sentenced to 60 days in jail following his plea of guilty to perjury.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider and Governor Paul R. LePage announced last week that a Task Force has been formed to combat the prescription drug abuse problem in Maine.

Governor LePage signed an executive order Wednesday, February 1 establishing the Maine Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force. The formation of the Task Force follows the Prescription Drug Abuse Summit hosted by Attorney General Schneider in October.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider is warning churches and nonprofits about recent reports of calls from individuals claiming to need help with paying rent.

?There are reports from Maine church officials who have received phone calls from individuals requesting help to pay rent,? said Attorney General Schneider. ?One particular caller was very believable and stated that she needed $170 to rent a home in Winthrop. As it turns out, this particular property is a home which was recently listed for sale and the owner was still living there.?