A Vermont judge says prosecutors can’t proceed with criminal charges against a contractor who was accidentally overpaid $462,000 by the city of Montpelier.
Newport contractor Daniel Scott was charged with grand larceny after Scott failed to return the money that his construction company was overpaid by the city for a water line project.
City officials say the overpayment was a clerical error. The city’s insurance company subsequently covered part of the loss.
In court Tuesday, Scott’s lawyer says there was never any "intent" to steal, so it could not be considered larceny.
WCAX-TV says the judge agreed, ruling Tuesday that the state failed to establish a factual or legal basis for the charges.