Article: Machias man gets year in jail for illegal checks

MACHIAS - Anthony Merchant, 49, of Machias, who pleaded guilty to illegally signing more than $22,000 worth of checks for a co- conspirator at Smith's Lobster Co. in Jonesport last year, was sentenced Friday in Washington County Superior Court to four years in prison, with all but 12 months suspended.

Merchant admitted to writing $22,507 in illegal checks for a fellow co-worker, Joseph Doherty, whose case is still pending, while both worked for the lobster company.

Merchant's attorney, Jeffrey Davidson of East Machias, said that Merchant was in desperate financial straits after a 2008 divorce in which his ex-wife was awarded his lobster fishing boat. He was destitute, had no job, and was ...

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