SOUTH PARIS – The former president of Moontide Water Festival Inc. pleaded not guilty on Thursday to a charge that he stole more than $5,000 from the organization.
Matthew J. Plante, 45, of 340 Hancock St. in Rumford, appeared before Judge Ellen Gorman at Oxford County Superior Court to state his plea.
In February, he was indicted on a felony charge of theft after being accused of embezzling between $5,000 and $6,000 from the festival.
Clerk of Courts Donna Howe said no date has been set, but Plante’s case will likely go to trial by the end of the summer.
Moontide Water Festival Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that raises about $40,000 each year for Rumford’s traditional weeklong Fourth of July celebration.
While a festival committee was formed in 1995, the organization’s attorney, Jennifer Kreckel of Kaynor & Kreckel, of Rumford, said Thursday it was incorporated as a nonprofit in 1997.
The festival committee disbanded after its 2003 celebration but resumed shortly thereafter under Plante’s leadership.
By July of last year, the festival was having trouble paying bills. In August, Plante announced the festival still owed $5,600 on its previous celebration. In October, the organization’s checking account at Bangor Savings Bank was closed because of overdrafts. Plante stepped down from his post.
According to new President Joseph F. Roberts, Plante was reluctant to hand over his financial records. An internal investigation found that the organization owed its creditors between $13,000 and $15,000.
A criminal investigation was launched Nov. 16, after members of the festival committee reported discrepancies in an account.
Plante on Thursday posted $2,500 unsecured bail, Howe said.
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