Arrr! Another scurvy dog be caught in the case against that Maine scallywag, accused of lining his pockets!
2023-07-28
Arr, Melanie Ann High, aged 67, be collared on Thursday in league with the likes o' Gerald Merrill, a scurvy deputy superintendent at a lockup, accused o' takin' bribes. Walk the plank they shall, arr!
A second arrest has been made in the investigation into a Maine corrections official accused of steering purchases to certain vendors in exchange for kickbacks in a long-running scheme. Melanie Ann High, who was arrested in Florida, is accused of using kickbacks to induce Gerald E. Merrill, deputy superintendent at the Mountain View Correctional Facility and Downeast Correctional Facility, to make repeated purchases from companies she controlled. High, 67, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was being held without bail in Broward County on Maine charges of theft and bribery.The state charges against Merrill and High indicate that the crimes exceeded $10,000, but the actual amount of money transferred over a period of about 10 years is believed to be far higher. State Auditor Matthew Dunlap and the attorney general's spokesperson declined to say how much money was spent by Merrill. It is unclear when High will be brought to Maine or if she has a lawyer. Merrill made his court appearance via Zoom on Wednesday.
Dunlap stated that the attorney general's criminal investigation stemmed from a broader inquiry into routine transactions using procurement cards. Merrill was found to have made an excessive number of purchases near the spending limit, arousing the curiosity of an auditing team. These purchases should have been covered by a master agreement instead of multiple smaller purchases.
This case highlights the importance of proper financial oversight and the potential for corruption within government institutions. It serves as a reminder that even seemingly mundane transactions can be subject to fraudulent activity. The investigation into this scheme is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed as more information is uncovered.