A contractor’s failure to return what city of Montpelier officials say was an accidental overpayment of $462,000 was referred today for possible criminal prosecution.
The state attorney general and Vermont State Police will inestigate the actions of Scott Construction and its president, Daniel Scott, of Newport.
Scott was owed $85,775 for a water line project but was sent a check for $548,110 in 2004 after an account clerk made a mistake. Scott cashed the check, but the city didn’t realize its error until a 2006 audit.
At issue now: whether a crime was committed.
Scott, who didn’t return calls seeking comment Wednesday, has yet to talk publicly about the overpayment.
State Attorney General William Sorrell says it’s too early to know whether Scott will be charged.
Members of the public are expected to turn out for a 7 p.m. City Council meeting Wednesday night to give their views about the error, and the city’s delay in revealing it.