West Gardiner Man Sentenced to 21 Days in Jail for Failing to Pay Taxes

December 28, 2010

Contact: Kate Simmons Phone: (207) 626-8577

West Gardiner Man Sentenced to 21 Days in Jail for Failing to Pay Taxes

Augusta?Attorney General Janet T. Mills announced today that Joseph Darling, age 42, of West Gardiner was sentenced to jail last week in Augusta District Court for failing to pay his Maine income taxes from 2004 through 2007. Darling, an employee at Bath Iron Works, pled no contest to the charges.

At the sentencing hearing, Darling claimed that he was the Governor of the State of Maine and the income tax laws did not apply to him. He also argued that the Court did not have jurisdiction over him.

Judge Beth Dobson sentenced Darling to 21 days in jail and ordered him to pay $11,388 in restitution for the taxes he owes. Darling went into custody immediately.

"Darling?s claim of being Governor did not insulate him from his obligations under the tax laws,? stated Attorney General Mills. ?Even if he had in fact been Governor of the State, he would still have to pay his taxes.?

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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