KEENE, N.H. (AP) – A Winchester oil dealer plans to plead guilty to unfair business practices after being accused of bilking his customers out of more than $150,000.
If a judge approves the plea agreement, Michael Higgins, 51, would escape jail time, but have to repay the money.
Higgins owned Higgins Heating Oil and Delivery Service, which went bankrupt last February. Court records say more than 60 people lost money to Higgins, after paying for services and home heating oil that he never delivered.
Senior Assistant Attorney General Constance Stratton is recommending suspended jail terms of six months and one year on two charges, plus five years probation.
The plea comes as about 400 people have filed complaints with the Attorney General’s office against a Concord oil company that closed suddenly this month. They also complained about not receiving fuel they paid for in advance.
Attorney General Kelly Ayotte said an investigation has been started to determine whether Rumford Energy violated the consumer protection or criminal laws.
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Information from: The Keene Sentinel, http://www.keenesentinel.com
AP-ES-04-30-07 1418EDT
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