BANGOR, Maine — Three people — one of them a former employee — have been indicted by the Penobscot County grand jury in connection with the theft of copper from Bangor Hydro-Electric Co.
Indicted Wednesday were Stephen L. Ryan, 65, of Bangor, Leslie Mushero, 33, of LaGrange and Marc Corey, 42, of Orrington, Penobscot County District Attorney R. Christopher Almy said Wednesday.
Almy said Ryan was employed by Bangor Hydro when the theft occurred, Mushero was an alleged accomplice and that Corey, owner of Corey’s Recycling in Orrington, accepted the copper at his scrap metal business despite knowing it was stolen.
Ryan and Mushero are charged with one count each of felony theft by unauthorized taking and Corey is charged with felony receiving stolen property, according to an indictment list released Wednesday afternoon.
If convicted, the suspects could face fines of up to $5,000 each and prison time of up to five years.
Bangor Hydro spokeswoman Susan Faloon said Ryan no longer works for the company.
“This indictment is the result of an ongoing investigation by the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department with cooperation from Bangor Hydro,” Faloon said.
Faloon said the total cost of the copper theft to Bangor Hydro was $35,000 and and that company will be seeking restitution.
“Copper theft is something we take very seriously,” said John Greaves, Bangor Hydro safety superintendent.
“In this case, the wire was taken from inventory and was not in use at the time, but copper theft from the electrical system can place the thieves, customers and employees at risk of injury,” he said.
Faloon said the theft took place within the last year but declined to discuss other details.
Because of these safety concerns and the costs that ultimately are borne by customers, it is particularly important to Bangor Hydro to deter all copper theft, including by pursuing prosecution to the full extent of the law, Bangor Hydro officials said.
Bangor Hydro has worked with law enforcement and state lawmakers in support of LD 1708, which would place greater restrictions on the sale of scrap metal in Maine.
Anyone who has knowledge of copper theft from Bangor Hydro or who witnesses any suspicious activity at a substation or other Bangor Hydro property should call their local law enforcement agency, Faloon said.
Coreys Recycling in Orrington deals in stolen goods ??
Cash sale , no questions asked??
Alright , OK, sure.
Hey junkies/thieves , did you hear that.
Coreys in Orrington. $$$$$
For the record..I have been into Corys a # of times and I have always been givin a check and had to sign a paper sayin the stuff was mine….not sayin everythying is right there or anywhere..just sayin that all the places do it about the same
Valued at $35,000.. Shame on them!! ANd, Corey knowing the stuff was “HOT”? How much other stuff has he taken, knowing the stuff was HOT?
Making a statement that customers will have to make up for the $35,000 that stolen………..crazy! My BH bill has tripled in 6 yrs!! This is a great time to jump on with Maine Energy.
Bangor Hydro has always been high. They are also mean spirited. If you owe them $1.00 and you are 75 years old, do not expect them to give you a break. You would be in the cold and dark and they wouldn’t even flinch.
Funny I was behind on my bill a few times they did not want to give me a break . When they use to estimate the bills one time they over billed me by almost $200. I told them I wanted my money back all I could get was credit toward the next bill. Wait a second if you owe them money the charge a late fee and interest. How come they did not have to pay me interest. Big business gets away with so much. They had use of my money. I changed form electric heat Took almost 3 months before it was corrected.
Changing from electric heat is the wisest thing anyone could do. Did you get any help financially from efficiency maine?
No I was in an apartment at the time. 20 years ago. Point I was making was they owed me money all I could get is credit. For the overpayment. I one of those people who does not like to be taken advantage of even if its for a nickel. I was just starting to have when my profile got deleted talk about censorship . We have to accept not all people see things the same way that what makes this country so great. Delete opinions is totally fair delete facts and that is censorship.
False
Les Mushero is family and would never knowingly be involved in anything like this. Anyone that knows him should kn0w this!!!!!!
I am Les wife and I know him better than anyone , He has changed and loves his family He did or would never intently hurt us , people can change I love him. People should know whats going on before they say anything.
JM