Strafford County Sheriff Under Investigation by New Hampshire Attorney General

Strafford County Sheriff Mark Brave is under a criminal investigation by the state Attorney General's office.

A letter dated June 2 said the investigation was opened based on "information this office has received and reviewed" involving theft, falsification in official matters, and abuse of office. Brave was also told to suspend any internal investigations that may be underway within the Sheriff's Office.

Brave told WMUR he and his attorneys are "fully cooperating" with the investigation, and said he believed he would be exonerated.

Strafford County Attorney Tom Velardi told InDepthNH.org he recommended Brave take a leave of absence, but was turned down.

The Dover resident was elected to the office in 2020 succeeding David Dubois. He is New Hampshire's first Black sheriff.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH