Press Releases

Swanton Town Constable Pleads To Neglect Of Duty

CONTACT: Evan Meenan, Assistant Attorney General, (802) 828-5776

February 16, 2011

Attorney General William H. Sorrell announced today that Dale Messier, 62, the Town Constable for Swanton, has pled guilty to one count of neglect of duty.

According to documents on file with the court, Messier had filed a return of service with the Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Unit, stating that he had served a notice of hearing “in hand” to a party in a civil lawsuit. Subsequent investigation disclosed that Messier had not served the notice personally, but had left it in a mailbox at the party’s former residence. The notice was found by the current resident, who sent it to the court.

Pursuant to a plea agreement with the State of Vermont, Messier will pay a fine of $500.00.