State trooper under DUI investigation

An investigation into the conduct of a Vermont State Police trooper has begun following an incident this week where the trooper is suspected to have been driving under the influence.

Assistant Attorney General John Treadwell says he has yet to receive paperwork on the investigation, but he is expecting the documents to arrive “in short order.” Treadwell confirmed Wednesday the investigation had begun and the nature of the investigation but said he could offer no other details without the paperwork.

“My understanding is that it is potentially a DUI allegation,” Treadwell said. “I don’t have any information beyond that.”

Information on whether the trooper was under the influence of drugs or alcohol was not available. Treadwell said he believes from the information he has received so far that the incident happened within the last few days, but he could not confirm for sure without the paperwork.

“My understanding is that state police will be referring a matter to this office for review and potential prosecution if appropriate,” Treadwell said.

Treadwell declined to confirm the name of the trooper or the barracks to which the trooper was assigned.

Phone calls to Col. Tom L’Esperance, director of the Vermont State Police, and Lt. Col. Matt Birmingham, deputy director, went unreturned Wednesday.

Vermont State Police spokesman Scott Waterman declined comment and referred all inquiries to state prosecutors.

“It’s in the Attorney General’s Office, and depending on what it is and when it comes out from the Attorney General’s Office, I suppose we could comment then,” Waterman said. “We can’t comment until then.”

Contact Elizabeth Murray at 651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LizMurraySMC.