The Public Record on Former State's Attorney John Lavoie
A documented chronology of the 2023 independent state workplace harassment investigation, bipartisan House impeachment proceedings, unanimous peer resignation demands, and primary Vermont records.
Top-Line Summary: The Public Record at a Glance
State of Vermont Government Records • Public Investigation Archives
John Lavoie is Zach Weight's opponent in the general election for Franklin County State's Attorney. Lavoie previously held the office for eight months until resigning on August 31, 2023 under active legislative impeachment proceedings following independent state findings of severe workplace harassment and slurs directed at staff. Below are the key substantiated facts from State of Vermont government records:
April 2023
Substantiated Harassment & Slurs
Paul Frank + Collins inquiry substantiated hostile workplace, slurs harassment targeting many protected classes, and unwanted physical contact with female staff.
The Executive Committee of Vermont State's Attorneys unanimously demanded his immediate resignation, declaring his behavior “indefensible” and destructive to public trust.
Stepped down from office effective August 31, 2023 while facing an active legislative impeachment inquiry convened by the Vermont House of Representatives.
House Judiciary leadership publicly confirmed to WCAX News that candidate John Lavoie misled the legislative committee investigating his misconduct before resigning.
Voters deserve an unedited, timeline-driven account of what occurred inside the State’s Attorney’s Office. Below is the factual chronology of events as they unfolded — supported by state documents, verbatim quotes, and verified investigative reporting.
Independent Investigation Confirms Severe Workplace Harassment & Hostile Work Environment
“The allegations raised regarding SA Lavoie's conduct relate to a number of FCSAO employees, and to a wide range of characteristics protected by State and Federal anti-discrimination laws... witnesses who have been employees for a longer period of time noted that conduct of the nature reported below has been occuring for years.”
Documented Findings
Derogatory Language & Slurs:The report details accusations that Lavoie repeatedly used slurs targeting women, individuals with disabilities, targeted a Jewish employee regarding religion, made derogatory comments about the LGBTQ+ community, and allegedly used the N-word.
Mocking Individuals with Disabilities:Confirmed by multiple witnesses and Lavoie himself that he mocked and disparaged mentally and physically disabled generally, and targeted specific colleagues with disabilities.
Substantiated Unwanted Physical Contact:Investigators confirmed multiple instances of unwanted physical contact with female office employees.
Hostile Workplace & Job Threats:The investigation documented repeated threats to employees’ job security following his election, creating a climate of fear and hostility that persisted even after the state inquiry began.
“Your behavior is indefensible and inconsistent with the expectations of a State’s Attorney, and demonstrates a gross departure from the ethical standards of an attorney and elected leader in the criminal justice system.”
Documented Findings
Gross Ethical Departure:Fellow prosecutors cited a 'gross departure from the ethical standards' demanded of an elected State's Attorney, noting that his conduct created severe liability for the State of Vermont.
Failure of Legal Duty:The Committee formally stated that Lavoie failed his legal obligation to maintain a safe, non-discriminatory, and harassment-free workplace for public employees.
Peer Consensus:Signed unanimously by State's Attorneys Erica Marthage (Bennington), Douglas DiSabito (Grand Isle), Tracy Kelly Shriver (Windham), Ward Goodenough (Windsor), and Executive Director John F. Campbell. Calls to resign continued to come in from other public officials and organizations.
Public Records and Media6 Documents & Citations
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3Refusal to Step Down••
Lavoie Refuses to Step Down, Minimizing Severe Misconduct as 'Not Sufficient to Warrant Resignation'
“I am the same guy that I have been all that time, and I guess I have to apologize for now suddenly being out of step with the times”
Documented Findings
Defiance of Peer Demand:Repeatedly refused voluntary resignation despite pressure from fellow elected State's Attorneys, community members, and statewide leaders.
Minimizing Violations as Humor:Publicly defended his conduct as personal demeanor that was 'out of step, maybe, with the times,' insisting substantiated slurs and harassment did not warrant leaving office.
Public Records and Media2 Documents & Citations
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4Constitutional Impeachment••
Vermont House Convenes Special Impeachment Committee
“The people of Franklin County deserve justice and elected officials who they can trust to uphold the rule of the law and to represent their community with integrity”
Documented Findings
Constitutional Impasse:Because an elected State's Attorney cannot be removed by the Governor, Lavoie's defiance forced the General Assembly to invoke rare constitutional powers.
Subpoena Powers Authorized:House Speaker Jill Krowinski and legislative leaders established the Special Committee on Impeachment Inquiry with subpoena power to compel testimony and case files.
Public Records and Media3 Documents & Citations
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5Resignation to Avoid Trial••
Facing Sworn Impeachment Trial, Lavoie Resigns as State's Attorney
“John Lavoie submitted his resignation to Governor Phil Scott effective August 31, bringing an end to the House impeachment inquiry that was examining his workplace conduct.”
Documented Findings
Resignation Under Impeachment:Facing the active drafting of formal articles of impeachment and sworn witness depositions, Lavoie reversed course and submitted his resignation to Governor Phil Scott.
Inquiry Dismissed as Moot:His departure effective August 31, 2023 brought an abrupt halt to the legislative inquiry, rendering the impending impeachment trial legally moot in regards to Mr. Lavoie.
Public Records and Media2 Documents & Citations
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6Executive Rebuilding••
Governor Scott Appoints Veteran Prosecutor to Stabilize Turmoil in Franklin County
“Given the difficult nature of this vacancy at the state’s attorney’s office, I believe it’s important to provide stability and certainty through this transition until a permanent replacement is identified.”
Documented Findings
Emergency Executive Intervention:Governor Phil Scott took urgent action to stabilize the turmoil left behind in Franklin County, appointing veteran prosecutor Bram Kranichfeld.
Restoring Office Integrity:The administration prioritized repairing damaged office morale, restoring broken relationships with law enforcement, and revitalizing victim services.
Public Records and Media1 Documents & Citations
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7Broadcast Interview (2026)••
Lavoie on 'For The Record': Dismisses Office Conduct as a 'Stand-Up Routine'
“Boy, I thought I was hysterical. You know, I thought I had a stand-up routine that started about 8:00 in the morning and finished about 4:30... It’s easy enough to learn to keep your mouth shut when you’re at work.”
Documented Findings
Workplace Misconduct as Comedy:During an August 2026 televised interview, Lavoie minimized his office conduct as an attempt at comedy: 'Boy, I thought I was hysterical. I thought I had a stand-up routine that started about 8:00 in the morning and finished about 4:30.'
'Keep Your Mouth Shut' Guarantee:When asked how voters could be assured harassment would not recur if reelected, Lavoie offered: 'It’s easy enough to learn to keep your mouth shut when you’re at work.'
“Given what we learned, I don’t see how his behavior suggests he would be the appropriate state’s attorney. Again, it was incompatible with that position”
Documented Findings
Misleading Legislative Committee:House Judiciary Chair Martin LaLonde—who chaired the Special Committee on Impeachment Inquiry—publicly disclosed to WCAX News that candidate John Lavoie misled the special legislative impeachment panel prior to his resignation.
Public Records and Media2 Documents & Citations
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Frequently Asked Questions About John Lavoie
Direct, factual answers grounded in state government investigation reports, legislative records, and documented news archives.
Who is John Lavoie?
John Lavoie is an attorney and the former Franklin County State's Attorney in Vermont. He was elected in November 2022 and took office in January 2023. He served eight months until his formal resignation on August 23, 2023 (effective August 31, 2023), which followed an independent state investigation into workplace harassment and the convening of a bipartisan legislative impeachment inquiry. He is currently running against Zach Weight in the 2026 general election.
Why did John Lavoie resign as State's Attorney in August 2023?
Lavoie submitted his resignation to Governor Phil Scott while facing an active legislative impeachment inquiry convened by the Vermont House of Representatives. The House inquiry was launched after Lavoie refused unanimous demands from fellow elected prosecutors to step down following an independent investigation that substantiated widespread workplace harassment, discriminatory slurs, and creating a hostile work environment. Lavoie's resignation rendered the impeachment proceedings legally moot.
What were the accusations investigated by the independent state investigation of John Lavoie?
The independent inquiry, conducted by Kristina R. Brines and Kerin E. Stackpole of Paul Frank + Collins P.C. for the Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs, investigated multiple severe violations:
Slurs Targeting Disability: Repeatedly referring to an injured victim as a "gimp" in office communications, and using the slur "retard."
Mocking Deaf Individuals: Using exaggerated fake sign language gestures when claiming not to hear or understand someone.
Religious & Racial Remarks: Inappropriate remarks targeting Jewish culture, and allegedly using the N-word in front of employees.
Unwanted Physical Contact: Pulling a female employee's state ID lanyard off her neck and stuffing it down the front of her dress, and jabbing a subordinate in the chest.
Hostile Work Environment: Creating a pervasive climate of intimidation, fear, and threats to employees' job security.
Did fellow Vermont State's Attorneys demand John Lavoie step down?
Yes. On May 1, 2023, the Executive Committee of the Vermont Department of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs unanimously issued a formal letter demanding Lavoie's immediate resignation. The letter was signed by State's Attorneys Erica Marthage (Bennington), Douglas DiSabito (Grand Isle), Tracy Kelly Shriver (Windham), Ward Goodenough (Windsor), and Executive Director John F. Campbell. They characterized his conduct as "indefensible," stating it compromised office safety and broke the public's trust in the administration of justice.
What has John Lavoie said about his conduct in office?
In May 2023 press scrums, Lavoie minimized the independent findings, stating that the documented incidents were "not sufficient to warrant my resignation" and apologizing for being "out of step, maybe, with the times."
On August 18, 2026, during a candidate interview on Northwest Access TV's For The Record, Lavoie described his workplace conduct as a comedy routine, stating: “Boy, I thought I was hysterical. You know, I thought I had a stand-up routine that started about 8:00 in the morning and finished about 4:30.” When asked how voters could be assured it wouldn't happen again, he stated: “It’s easy enough to learn to keep your mouth shut when you’re at work.”
Did John Lavoie deceive the Vermont House Impeachment Committee?
On September 22, 2026, Vermont House Judiciary Chair Martin LaLonde—who served as Chair of the Special Committee on Impeachment Inquiry in 2023—publicly disclosed to WCAX News that candidate John Lavoie had misled the committee prior to his resignation.
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