Vt. Family Services employee arrested on lewdness charge

WATERBURY, Vt. - A state worker for the Department of Children and Family Services has been charged with exposing himself in a New Hampshire park, officials said.

Duane Fortier, 55, of West Hartford, was among five men arrested May 7 and May 8 by plainclothes officers after the men allegedly approached them near the Boston Lot hiking trails and made suggestive remarks and obscene gestures, according to police in Lebanon, N.H.

He was charged with indecent exposure and lewdness.

Fortier works in the Department of Children and Family Services' office in Hartford, where he reviews files to ensure people receive the appropriate benefits. He does not have contact with the public, according to Stephen Dale, commissioner for the department.

Dale said yesterday that officials were waiting to learn the details of the allegations against Fortier.

"There's a whole protocol that we follow whenever there are allegations against" an employee, Dale said.

Fortier is due in court June 17, Lebanon Police said.

A person who answered the phone at the Hartford office said Fortier did not work there.