Owner of Saco accounting firm appears in federal court for mishandling funds

PORTLAND – The owner of a Saco accounting firm charged with mishandling more than $1 million of his clients’ money must wear an electronic monitor and stay in his home between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. while free on bail.

Those were among the conditions imposed on John Baert during a hearing Monday in U.S. District Court.

Baert, the owner of Harmon-Baert Associates, waived his right to a preliminary hearing, but his attorney and federal prosecutor, Toby Dilworth, agreed to terms of his bail conditions. Baert has put up $50,000 bond that is secured by a house in Florida owned by his daughter and son-in-law.

Baert’s firm handled payroll processing and accounting for about 400 businesses for 20 years until it abruptly closed last month. The Internal Revenue Service says it’s aware of $1.1 million in taxes that are missing or unpaid, leaving Baert’s clients liable for back taxes.

He is charged with three counts of mail fraud, and additional charges are possible when he is formally indicted in the next few weeks.

Following Monday’s hearing, Dilworth said the case is being investigated by the IRS, postal inspectors and Saco police, and will go to trial within 70 days.

“People are working feverishly on this,” he said.