Woman pleads guilty to theft of tax money

ELLSWORTH – A 28-year-old Sedgwick woman pleaded guilty Thursday to a charge of taking nearly $10,000 in excise tax revenues while she worked as deputy town clerk in her community.

Hancock County Superior Court Justice Andrew M. Mead ordered Molly T. Varnum to serve 30 days of a two-year sentence to the state Department of Corrections on the theft charge. He also ordered her to pay $9,400 restitution to the town of Sedgwick.

Varnum waived grand jury proceedings and accepted a plea agreement negotiated through District Attorney Michael E. Povich’s office.

Varnum worked as deputy town clerk from November 2001 to April 2004. When residents came in to pay their excise taxes, she filled out town forms for a lesser figure than the amount that was due and pocketed the difference, Povich said.

Because her sentence is less than one year, Varnum must report to the Hancock County Jail on Jan. 1. Upon her release, she will be placed on probation for four years and required to perform 200 hours of community service.

If she makes restitution and finishes her community service within two years, her probation sentence could be reduced by half.

Povich said Sedgwick selectmen asked for leniency for Varnum, who made her first restitution payment of $5,000 immediately after Thursday’s hearing.