The former fire chief in Middlebury has been convicted of embezzling more than $70,000 from the town's volunteer fire department.
Paul Perrotti, 47, of Middlebury, was found guilty in federal court Thursday. His trial began July 9.
Federal prosecutors said Perrotti used department operating accounts to pay for personal expenses and for expenses associated with his private electrical contracting business, Paul Perrotti Electric, LLC.
Prosecutors said Perrotti also submitted invoices to the town for expenses incurred by his business and used a fire department debit card to make purchases for business-related items.
FBI agents raided the firehouse in May 2014 and seized computers and financial documents.
He was arrested in November and charged with three counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. A jury found him guilty on two counts but could not reach a verdict on the third, according to the U.S. attorney's office.
He will be sentenced Oct. 29 and could serve a total of up to 20 years in prison.
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Perrotti served as fire chief from 1997 until 2014.
In a prior interview with NBC Connecticut, Perrotti maintained his innocence and said his company "cooperated 100 percent because there's really not much to see or to find here."
NBC Connecticut has reached out to Perrotti's attorney, Martin Minnella of Minnella, Tramuta & Edwards Law Firm, for comment.
