FARMINGTON – A 61-year-old former snowmobile club treasurer accused of stealing $54,259 from the organization had her bail conditions amended in her first court appearance today.
Gail Gavigan of Dallas Plantation, was arrested on Oct. 2 and charged with felony theft by unauthorized taking and felony theft by receiving stolen property. Officers with the Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club called interim Rangeley Police Chief Dennis Leahy after an audit showed discrepancies in the financial records.
According to Leahy’s affidavit, Don Dumont, vice president of the snowmobile club said he noticed deposits from the club’s account were written to different bank accounts and credit card companies that he alleged had nothing to do with the club. Dumont and the other officers decided to have an audit performed from the past three years of the club’s financial records.
Police seized Gavigan’s home computer and her billing records which police say included the credit card billing records with Gavigan’s name on them that were allegedly found in association with the club’s payments.
According to the snowmobile club’s bylaws, the treasurer’s duties include depositing funds in the club’s bank account, providing receipts and paying bills up to $500. If the payment is more than $500, the board of directors needs to approve the payment. In addition, the treasurer is required to submit an annual report at the end of each fiscal year.
Gavigan resigned from her paid position with the club. She was released from jail on $250 cash bail with the conditions she have no contact with the officers and members of the snowmobile club.
In court today, she asked that that condition be amended to only include officers with the club because there are over 450 club members and it’s virtually impossible to go anywhere without running into club members.
Justice Michaela Murphy allowed for the change to Gavigan’s bail conditions.
