BIDDEFORD, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Maine Attorney General's office has confirmed their investigation into a former Biddeford police officer after allegations arose of sexual assault against a young teenage boy in the late 1990's.
In an email, Attorney General's Office spokesman Tim Feeley said the "allegation was referred to this office by the Biddeford Police Department. While not legally obligated to do so, best practices recommend that law enforcement agencies refer criminal allegations against current or former officers to another agency so as to avoid even the appearance of conflict."
The state has not named the former Biddeford officer, and asks the public to not interfere with the investigation.
"Recognizing that there has been a great deal of discussion in the community and on social media websites regarding the current allegation, we caution that public dissemination of such information presents a potential of interfering with the integrity of the investigation and the dissemination of prejudicial information concerning an accused person or concerning the evidence that may interfere with the ability of a court to impanel an impartial jury and conduct a fair trial should any criminal charge ensue," Feeley said in the email.
Matt Lauzon, who now lives in Massachusetts, first started talking about the abuse on his Facebook page. Since then, more allegations have come forward.
Rick Anderson of South Portland said Officer Dodd sexually abused him in the 1970s. Anderson said into 2002, he found the strength to talk to the main Attorney General's office about the abuse. He said the AG's office did nothing with his case back then, and now he doesn't have faith they will properly investigate Lauzon's claims.
Lauzon's attorney, Walt McKee, told NECN he will pursue a civil case and wants to see the FBI independently investigate this case.
McKee said there are as many as 12 alleged victims, and two Biddeford Police officers have been accused of sexual abuse.
Feely, in the email, said Biddeford Police have been cooperative and that the state will not be responding to any questions and comments in the media.
If anyone has credible information regarding the investigation they should contact the Attorney General's office and/or the Biddeford Police Department.
