Commercial Fisherman Sentenced to Jail for Failure to Pay Income Taxes

January 22, 2010

For Immediate Release

Contact: Gregg D. Bernstein,
Assistant Attorney General (207) 626-8800

Ellsworth?Attorney General Janet T. Mills announced today that Timothy Cook, age 28, of Bernard, Maine, will serve six months in jail for failure to file his income tax returns for the years 2003 through 2007. Cook, a commercial fisherman, pleaded guilty on January 21, 2010. He was sentenced by Justice Kevin Cuddy in Hancock County Superior Court to two years, all but six months suspended, and 2 years of probation. These charges were felonies because Cook had previously been convicted for his failure to file taxes during the years 1999 through 2001.

At the time Mr. Cook was sentenced he paid $2,500 towards the restitution for unpaid tax from 2003 to 2008. Under the terms of probation Mr. Cook will pay additional restitution in the amount of $15,000 and file future tax returns as normally required.

Attorney General Mills commented, "All contractors, including commercial fisherman, need to make sure that taxes are set aside regularly to ensure that they pay their fair share in taxes, as their neighbors do. My office will take strong action against those individuals who fail to pay their state income taxes."

Mr. Cook was ordered to begin his six-month sentence immediately.

Attorney General Mills thanks Maine Revenue Services' Criminal Investigations Unit for their work on the investigation and Assistant Attorney General Gregg D. Bernstein for his work on this case.

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