AUGUSTA (AP) – A complaint that Maine’s largest construction company sidestepped campaign disclosure rules when it gave at least $53,000 in labor and materials to Peter Cianchette’s 2002 gubernatorial bid has been corroborated by three former employees.

Ron Harwood, a former Cianbro supervisor, alleges that the Pittsfield-based company recorded the expenditures as a business expense rather than disclose it as a political contribution.

Harwood’s complaint is being investigated by the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices, which has given Cianchette and Cianbro until April 14 to file amended reports on the donated services and will take up the issue at its April 28 meeting.

Cianbro acknowledged that it helped Cianchette, whose father is a co-founder and board chairman of the company, but said the expenditure was less than $53,000 and there was no attempt at a cover-up.

“What we did was out in the open,” said Alan Burton, vice president of human resources, safety and health. “Yeah, we were a little overzealous, probably . . . But we’re a very helpful organization, and the people involved were just trying to help other people. We probably just went a little overboard.”

Former Cianbro employees Wayne Gillis, Robert Milligan and Clarence Ayotte provided written statements about the company’s involvement in efforts to distribute Cianchette campaign signs.

“It was common knowledge that Cianbro employees were meeting at various locations to put out and take down Cianchette campaign signs on Cianbro time,” wrote Ayotte, a supervisor who had been laid off.

Harwood, whose duties included reducing employee theft of tools, said he quit Cianbro because it sent mixed messages about ethics, which made his job more stressful.

“Ron did a good job,” Burton said. “If he hadn’t left, he would be working for us today. I don’t know what his motives are in this issue.”

Cianchette, who lost the election to Democrat John Baldacci, said his campaign did not work with Cianbro and he was unaware of its efforts on his behalf.

He also said his withdrawal last fall from the 2006 gubernatorial race had nothing to do with Harwood’s allegations, which he became aware of three weeks ago.

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Information from: Portland Press Herald, https://www.pressherald.com

AP-ES-03-29-06 0217EST