City Probes Councilor-elect's Residency

City Attorney Robert Sullivan said his office is looking into two complaints concerning City Councilor-elect Jack Thorsen's legal residency.

Sullivan said his office received complaints from two residents that claimed Thorsen doesn't really live in Portsmouth. Sullivan said the complaints were also sent to Mayor Thomas Ferrini and Ferrini directed him to conduct the inquiry.

Sullivan said he hopes to complete the inquiry before the City Council swearing in ceremony takes place in early January.

Thorsen won one of the council's nine seats in the out of a field of 10 candidates. According to the City Charter, Sullivan said if the complaints turn out to be valid, the council seat would go to the next highest vote getter, which would be former City Council candidate Glenn Gardner.

At this point in the city's investigation, Sullivan said he would not comment on whether there is any indication that Thorsen's residency doesn't meet the city's legal threshold for him to retain the council seat.