Tax Evader Sentenced to Jail

October 1, 2010

Machias?Attorney General Janet Mills announced that Jackie Fenton, age 61, of Jonesport, Maine, was sentenced in Superior Court in Machias on his plea of guilty to charges of failing to file his state income tax returns for 2003 to 2008. The charges are Class C felonies punishable to up to five years in jail, because this is the second time that Fenton has been convicted of failing to file taxes for multiple years. Fenton, a commercial fisherman, had previously been convicted on February 18, 2004, of failing to file state taxes for 1997 to 2002. State law increases penalties for individuals who have previously been convicted of failure to file their returns or pay their taxes.

Judge John Romei sentenced Fenton to two years in jail with all but six months suspended. Upon his release, Fenton will serve two years of probation, with the condition that he pay $16,046.42 in restitution for the most recent convictions. Fenton still owes over $10,000 in restitution from his prior tax convictions.

Attorney General Mills commented, "In these continued difficult economic times, the willful nonpayment of income taxes will not be tolerated. My office will take strong action against individuals who fail to pay their fair share forcing other Maine citizens to make up the difference.?

This case was investigated by Maine Revenue Services' Criminal Investigations Unit and prosecuted by the Attorney General?s Office by Assistant Attorney General Gregg D. Bernstein.

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CONTACT: Maine Attorney General 207) 626-8599