Pleasant Point man may face more jail time

MACHIAS – A 46-year-old Pleasant Point man who defrauded the federal government out of more than $80,000 may go back to prison because he has only paid a small amount in restitution.

Joseph B. Neptune appeared in Washington County Superior Court Monday on a motion to revoke his probation. Neptune denied that he had violated his probation and a hearing on the matter is expected to be held next month.

In 2005, Neptune was sentenced to five years in prison with all but one year suspended. He was released from prison in February 2006, and was placed on three years probation.

Francis’ co-defendant James L. Francis, 46, also of Pleasant Point, was sentenced to five years in prison with all but six months suspended. He was placed on probation for 31/2 years.

The two men were ordered to pay a total of $84,900 in restitution.

To date, Neptune has only paid $948.13. The status of Francis’ payment was not available late Wednesday.

“The state is seeking to revoke his probation,” First Assistant District Attorney Paul Cavanaugh said of Neptune on Wednesday.

If probation is revoked, Cavanaugh added, Neptune could be forced to serve the remaining four years of his sentence.

In 2004, a Washington County grand jury indicted Neptune and Francis on one count each of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer after they submitted fraudulent invoices for the installation of hot water heaters on the Pleasant Point Reservation that were never installed.

Neptune, who worked for the Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Housing Authority, was responsible for overseeing installations in the hot water replacement program in tribal housing.

Francis, who was a contractor, was hired by the housing authority to do the work.

The state alleged at the time that Francis submitted 62 vouchers dated April 19, 2003, through Feb. 4, 2004, for work that was never performed. Neptune approved the vouchers for payment. The two men then split the payment checks.

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