Presque Isle Man Sentenced for Failure to Pay Maine Income Taxes

October 3, 2011

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider announced that Alan Harding, 58, of Presque Isle was convicted following his no contest plea on all counts in a 12 count complaint charging Failure to Make and File Maine Income Tax Returns and Failure to Pay Maine Income Tax for tax years 2004 through 2009.

Justice Donald Marden sentenced Harding, an attorney, to 120 days, with all but ten days suspended, and one year of administrative release, in Superior Court in Augusta. Harding had paid the restitution of back taxes and interest in the amount of $119,412 earlier this year, approximately five months after being criminally charged.

Harding had been subject to numerous administrative efforts by Maine Revenue Services to obtain his compliance with the tax laws. He failed to file his Maine Income Tax Returns for 2001 and 2003, years that were not included in the charges because they were beyond the criminal statute of limitations. In addition, before being considered for criminal prosecution, the civil enforcement division of MRS had served Harding with six notices in an effort to get him to file his returns and pay his taxes. Harding failed to respond to any of these notices. Harding also failed to file and pay his federal taxes for most of the same years, only recently paying approximately $360,000 to the federal government for federal taxes owed.

For the years Harding could be criminally charged, 2004 through 2009, Harding earned between approximately $150,000 to $225,000 per year, owned two homes, and multiple vehicles, and managed a lucrative private law practice.

?All Maine taxpayers bear the responsibility for paying their fair share under state tax laws,? said Attorney General Schneider. ?We are in difficult economic times and many people are struggling simply to pay their bills. No one is above the law, especially attorneys practicing before our state courts.?

This case was investigated by the Maine Revenue Services? Criminal Investigations Unit. Assistant Attorney General Gregg D. Bernstein handled this matter for Attorney General Schneider?s Financial Crimes and Civil Rights Division.