SOUTH PORTLAND — A week before his scheduled court appearance in Portland, a perjury charge against local businessman Robert Maietta was dropped Oct. 16 for lack of evidence.

Maietta, 49, of Winding Way, was scheduled to appear Thursday in Cumberland County Superior Court, seeking dismissal of the charge stemming from a spring conflict with South Portland police.

A perjury charge against his older brother, Vincent Maietta, 55, of Elderberry Way, was dropped Oct. 9, also for lack of evidence. The men had been indicted June 7 by a Cumberland County grand jury.

The Maiettas, owners of Pleasant Hill Towing and Maietta Towing, were in a dispute with Police Sgt. Todd Barlow that flared up after an investigation into towing charges for city-commissioned work. The investigation ultimately led to a five-month suspension for Maietta Towing.

After an April 1 hearing at City Hall, Robert Maietta alleged Barlow directed a profanity-laced tirade toward him. Maietta filed for a protection from harassment order in Portland District Court April 2. The order was terminated April 22 by Judge Jeffrey Moskowitz.

Robert Maietta also filed a complaint with police, which led to an internal investigation. Police Sgt. Steve Webster said in June the department then forwarded comments made by the brothers at the hearing to Cumberland County District Attorney Stephanie Anderson.

Anderson’s office made the decision to drop the charges.

David Harry can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or dharry@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidHarry8.

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