August 28, 2013 — PORTLAND, Maine — A judge agreed last week to slap a lien for more than $1 million attachment on properties of a southern Maine seafood dealer as well as the former manager of the Spruce Head Fishermen’s Cooperative over allegations by the midcoast cooperative that those parties conspired to steal and sell huge quantities of lobster.
Justice Andrew Horton issued his order Aug. 20 in the Maine Business and Consumer Court, agreeing that it was more likely than not that the cooperative would recover civil lawsuit judgments of $1,010,965 against Eliot-based J.P. Shellfish Inc.; its longtime owner John Price; former cooperative manager Robert Thompson and his wife, Cindy Thompson.
Thompson was arrested last October and charged with felony theft. Police claimed he stole lobsters from the cooperative and sold them for cash to J.P. Shellfish. The charge was dismissed in May, however, when the Knox County district attorney’s office said it could not yet turn over evidence to the defense without jeopardizing the continuing investigation.
The prosecution had sought additional time — beyond the statutory six months after he was arrested — to indict Thompson, but Justice Jeffrey Hjelm denied that request.
District Attorney Geoffrey Rushlau stated in the May dismissal notice that the action did not preclude future charges. Assistant District Attorney Jeff Baroody said at an April court hearing that the U.S. Attorney’s Office was conducting its own investigation. No additional criminal charges have been filed.
Thompson’s attorney, Walter McKee, said Wednesday that his client would definitely appeal the judge’s attachment order.
“The $1 million was gross speculation, to say the least,” McKee said.
Read the full story at the Bangor Daily News