PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Former Maine Turnpike Authority Executive Director Paul Violette has been charged with felony theft in connection with unaccounted-for gift cards and his use of turnpike credit cards, the attorney general's office said Thursday.

Violette is being charged with obtaining unauthorized control over Maine Turnpike Authority property in the form of gift cards or charges for personal travel, meals and other expenses on turnpike authority credit cards with a total value in excess of $10,000, spokeswoman Brenda Kielty told The Associated Press. The charge carries maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

Violette's 23-year reign as the executive director of the Maine Turnpike came crashing down with his resignation in March amid allegations of lavish spending and misappropriation of turnpike funds. Violette last month agreed to pay the authority $155,000 of his own money to settle a civil lawsuit while the attorney general's office conducted a criminal investigation.

Violette's attorney, Peter DeTroy, acknowledged the charge Thursday but wasn't immediately available for further comment.

Questions regarding Violette's spending of turnpike funds were raised last year following a report by the state Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability that looked at turnpike authority operations and finances. The authority is a quasi-state agency that runs the 109-mile Maine Turnpike, which carries more than 60 million vehicles a year.

In a civil lawsuit filed last summer, the turnpike authority brought forth new allegations regarding Violette's use of turnpike authority credit cards and payments he received for unused vacation and sick days.