Concord, NH – Attorney General John M. Formella announces that Debra A. Paul (age 62) of Londonderry, New Hampshire was arrested on August 24, 2022, on six misdemeanor counts related to Penalties for Political Advertising for publishing political advertisements that did not comply with State election laws.

The charges filed against Ms. Paul are for violations of RSA 664:16, Identification of Political Advertising, a misdemeanor. The misdemeanor charges allege that Ms. Paul failed to properly identify political advertisements that she published in her newspaper, the Londonderry Times, with appropriate language either at the beginning or the end of the advertisement as required by RSA 664:16.

Ms. Paul, publisher of the Londonderry Times newspaper, was previously investigated and warned against such conduct on two prior occasions by the Attorney General's Office Election Law Unit. Those instances ended with formal letters being issued to her in 2019 and 2021. A 'final warning' letter issued by the Election Law Unit in September of 2021 warned Ms. Paul that all political advertising must be properly labeled as such in her publication.

Class A misdemeanor charges carry a maximum penalty of up to one year at the county house of correction and a fine of up to $2,000.

An arraignment has been scheduled in Derry District Court for October 19, 2022.

The charges and allegations are merely accusations. Ms. Paul is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being prosecuted by Deputy General Counsel Myles Matteson and Attorney Matt Conley of the Election Law Unit. The investigation into this matter was conducted by Investigator Daniel Mederos.