March 11, 2008
Nashua Telegraph
LITCHFIELD – State investigators arrested Litchfield’s elected treasurer Monday on charges that he fleeced the town out of more than $5,000.
Horace W. Seymour III, 49, of 13 Mike Lane, turned himself in to officials from the state attorney general’s office Monday and was charged with one count of theft by deception, a Class A felony.
Seymour, who was running unopposed in today’s town election for a second, three-year term as town treasurer, told The Telegraph on Monday night that he has withdrawn from the race. As of Monday night, the ballot on the town’s Web site still listed Seymour as the lone candidate.
Reached at his home by telephone, Seymour declined to comment on the criminal charges, saying he needed to first consult with an attorney. Investigators allege that Seymour, who is also an appointed member of the town’s recreation commission, submitted a fake, roughly $5,800 invoice to the town Jan. 10 for the purchase and installation of security cameras at Talent Hall, the town’s recreation building.
Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young, the chief of the AG’s criminal bureau, declined to say whether this was an isolated case or an indication of more widespread corruption during Seymour’s three-year stint as treasurer.
The treasurer’s responsibilities include short-term investment of town funds and maintenance of escrow funds.
Young said her bureau is continuing its investigation and that more charges could be filed against Seymour “depending on how the investigation unfolds.”
Young said her bureau is still investigating whether Seymour spent the money he allegedly stole from the town.
Young would not say what prompted her bureau’s investigation into Seymour, which she said was a “high priority” given the proximity of the town’s election.
“We moved the investigation forward in an expeditious manner because the town’s election was coming up,” she said.
Seymour was booked at the Manchester police station. He’s free on $10,000 cash or surety bond and is scheduled for arraignment March 20 in Merrimack District Court.
“Unlawful conduct by elected officials erodes the important trust that citizens expect and deserve from all public officials,” Attorney General Kelly Ayotte said in a prepared statement. “Any allegations of unlawful conduct by public officials will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted vigorously.”
Seymour first ran for town treasurer in 2002 and was soundly defeated by Eberhard Rau, 801 votes to 294. He was elected unchallenged in 2005.
Seymour told The Telegraph in 2002 that he was running for treasurer because he believed he could contribute to the town.
“It seemed interesting to me,” he said.
Litchfield Police Chief Joseph O’Brion said his department was not involved in the investigation and that he was first made aware of the pending charges against Seymour on Monday. The chief said the charges surprised him.
“All of my dealings with Mr. Seymour have been very positive and professional,” said O’Brion.