Restitution part of plea deal
MARS HILL, Maine — A Mars Hill woman charged with felony theft for stealing more than $26,000 from a local ATV club has accepted a plea deal that would make her guilty of only a misdemeanor if she pays back in full the money stolen from the club.
Candace Giberson, 50, was arrested in October 2013 and charged with stealing $26,029.38 over a four-year period from the Big 13 ATV Club in Mars Hill, according to the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department.
The club contacted police in late August 2013 after noticing financial irregularities, which prompted sheriff’s detectives to launch a criminal investigation, Sheriff-elect Darrell Crandall said when Giberson was arrested. Giberson, who served as treasurer of the club, was accused of committing the thefts between 2010 and August 2013. None of the money was recovered.
Aroostook County District Attorney Todd Collins said Nov. 24 that Giberson pleaded guilty to the felony theft charge in Aroostook County Superior Court in Caribou on April 7 and was given a deferred disposition. Under the terms of the deferred disposition, Giberson must repay all of the money she stole from the club within two years, refrain from further criminal conduct and comply with all of her bail conditions.
If she is successful, Giberson will be allowed to withdraw her guilty plea to the felony theft charge and instead plead guilty to a misdemeanor theft charge. Giberson could still face up to 30 days in jail on that charge, Collins said.
Under the felony theft charge, Giberson faces up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
