NEW GLOUCESTER — A selectman has been charged with stealing an SUV — his sister's rusted, 20-year-old Ford Bronco that he had towed to a scrap yard.

Selectman Mark Leighton was indicted by the Cumberland County grand jury last week on a single count of theft. Leighton, whose term ends this year, told a reporter that the charge stems from a misunderstanding.

Leighton's legal woes began Oct. 9 when his sister, Kathy Ramsdell of New Gloucester called police to report that her brother had towed her Bronco without permission.

Ramsdell told police her brother had the vehicle towed to a scrap yard and was paid for the metal. Police investigated and forwarded their findings to the District Attorney's Office, which convinced the grand jury to indict.

Leighton told a reporter from Keep Maine Current that the issue is more about old family conflicts than about a broken law.

"I also manage my mother's rental property, and over the years renters come and go and it is not uncommon to have people leave and abandon property such as unwanted items, rusted old vehicles, etc.," Leighton said in response to questions from Keep Maine Current. "This past October, we did our annual cleanup. The vehicle in question was a 20-year-old rusted Ford Bronco that had been abandoned for seven years. Nobody cared until it was hauled away. These people are trying to hang me for nothing.

"It is unfortunate that it all came to this," Leighton told the reporter. "I am sure the court system with all of its faults will see that this is all a big misunderstanding."

Leighton has been summoned to appear in court. The Class C charge of theft is punishable by up to five years in prison.