LEBANON — Two city employees face criminal charges and have been placed on paid leave in connection with a theft investigation at the Department of Public Works.

Authorities launched the investigation in October, but have not released any details, including what led them to initiate the probe of city employees.

Douglas Boisvert, 57, and Damian Hetzel, 40, have each been charged with felony theft, Police Chief Phil Roberts said in an interview this week.

Boisvert worked as a cemetery supervisor for the city and was hired in November 2021, City Manager Shaun Mulholland said in an email.

Hetzel has been a parks and grounds supervisor since he was hired in October 2020, according to Mulholland.

Both men were placed on paid leave when they were arrested, Mulholland said in an interview. The results of the city’s own internal investigation will allow him to “take further action.”

Mulholland said he remains committed to releasing a report to the public once the city’s internal review — which includes an outside consultant — is complete.

Multiple city councilors declined to comment while the city’s internal review is ongoing, but City Councilor Doug Whittlesey said he thought the criminal investigation and internal review would be sufficient to address any concerns.

“As both a resident and a city councilor, I am of course concerned with any theft of city resources,” Whittlesey said via email Wednesday.

Police allege the two men have stolen “city of Lebanon property and payments due to the city” with a total value between $1,200 and $1,800, Roberts said via email Tuesday.

Roberts said following the arrests, the investigation has been “suspended.”

The crimes occurred “over the past couple of years,” Roberts said. “Our investigation led to bringing charges to these two individuals,” he said.

Both men turned themselves in at the Lebanon Police Department two weeks ago and were released on personal recognizance bail, Roberts said via email.

They are each set to appear in Lebanon District Court April 7.

When reached by phone Wednesday morning, Boisvert’s wife, Tanya, declined to comment. Tanya Boisvert said the couple had been informed by their lawyer not to comment “at this time,” but she declined to provide the lawyer’s name.

Hetzel, also reached by phone Wednesday morning, directed questions to Allison Schwartz, an attorney at Lebanon-based Simpson and Mulligan. “Mr. Hetzel maintains his innocence and we look forward to telling his side of the story in court,” Schwartz said in an email statement.

Roberts declined to provide further details on the allegations. He also declined the Valley News’ request to obtain warrants and arresting documents under New Hampshire’s right-to-know law on the grounds that “the requested information pertains to an ongoing investigation and/or open case, and its release could compromise the integrity of the investigation. The documents have not been filed with the court as of this date.”

Roberts said the documents would be available to the public after they are filed with the Lebanon District Court.

If Boisvert and Hetzel are found guilty, the punishment could vary depending on the exact value of the theft and other conditions, according to New Hampshire state law. If the theft was between $1,000 and $1,500, this could result in one to seven years in prison and fines. If the theft is more than $1,500, it is a Class A felony that could result in seven to 15 years in state prison and fines.

 Clare Shanahan can be reached at cshanahan@vnews.com or 603-727-3216.