Police: Groton man lied about completing community service

State police have charged a Groton man with fraudulently claiming he completed 100 hours of community service as ordered by Middletown Superior Court.

Police said Lisa Kaye, an employee who verifies defendants’ community service, called police to the court Sept. 18 because she could account for only 10 of the hours submitted by 35-year-old Joshua Menard of 259 Briarhill Road, Groton.

Kaye said she called the Goodwill on Long Hill Road in Groton, where Menard claimed to have volunteered 90 hours, and a supervisor told her he never had worked there.

Kaye said Menard was present when she called the Goodwill. Kaye told police Menard began pacing, then fled the room.

The Goodwill later sent an email telling Kaye the form Menard had given her was obsolete, Kaye told police.

Police said they tried to contact Menard two times, to no avail. A judge signed a warrant for his arrest and on Oct. 26 he was charged with second-degree forgery, a Class D felony, after he turned himself in at Troop F in Westbrook.

Details about the case that led to Menard’s community service requirement were sealed.

Released on a $1,500 bond, Menard is next due in court Nov. 30.