PARIS – The former president of Moontide Water Festival Inc. pleaded guilty Monday to a misdemeanor charge of stealing several thousand dollars from the organization in 2004.
Matthew Plante, 47, of Rumford entered his guilty plea in Oxford County Superior Court. He was sentenced to five days in Oxford County Jail beginning Friday.
Plante also paid $6,244 in restitution on Monday to the District Attorney’s Office, which will give the money to the Moontide committee.
Plante originally faced a felony, but the charge was reduced in exchange for his plea and the restitution payment, Assistant District Attorney Richard Beauchesne said.
Plante was accused of embezzling between $5,000 and $6,000 from the Moontide festival organization between June 28 and Oct. 3, 2004. Plante’s attorney, Ronald E. Hoffman, told the court last week that Plante was expecting a lump-sum disability payment that would be used for the restitution money.
Moontide is a public, nonprofit organization responsible for raising about $40,000 each year for Rumford’s weeklong Fourth of July celebration. Plante joined the organization after the 2003 celebration.
After financial irregularities surfaced in 2004, an internal investigation was conducted, which revealed that bills had not been paid and Moontide owed its creditors between $13,000 and $15,000.
Plante resigned in October 2004 after being confronted about the financial problems. A criminal investigation was launched in November 2004, and Plante was indicted on a felony charge of theft in February 2005.
Moontide has since installed new policies and procedures, added new officers, and installed new members.
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