Staff Writer

 The former La Kermesse president denies stealing money from the festival and a Biddeford condo association.

Priscille Gagnon, 70, entered pleas of not guilty last week in York County Superior Court on four charges of theft and misuse of entrusted property.

An indictment handed down earlier this month by the York County Grand Jury alleges she committed theft and misuse of entrusted property from 2004 to 2010 with funds entrusted to her as president of La Kermesse and as treasurer of Western Oaks Condominium Association.

The amount of the thefts is alleged to be in excess of $10,000 from each organization. The two theft charges are Class B crimes punishable by up to 10 years in prison and two Class D misuse of entrusted property charges are punishable by up to 364 days in jail.

Gagnon stepped down as president of the annual Franco-American heritage festival earlier this year, citing personal reasons. She told Justice Paul Fritzsche during her arraignment that she plans to move to Georgia immediately. She is scheduled to appear in court again Aug. 12.

Court records show Gagnon is alleged to have stolen money from La Kermesse between Oct. 21, 2004, and March 1, 2010, and from the condo association between July 8, 2005, and March 9, 2010.

La Kermesse directors have said Gagnon allegedly used a festival line of credit after it was supposed to be paid off and closed. Gagnon apparently paid off the loan at PeoplesChoice, formerly St. Joseph’s Credit Union, but did not close the account.

The state Attorney General’s office investigated Gagnon after the case was forwarded by the Biddeford Police Department because of a possible conflict of interest. Police Chief Roger Beaupre is a former La Kermesse treasurer.

City officials told festival directors earlier this year they could no longer use St. Louis Field, the traditional home of the festival. The festival disrupts athletes who use the fields and equipment causes damage, they said. The city has billed La Kermesse $25,000 for field damages from last year’s festival.