FARMINGTON — An ex-office manager for Aramark Higher Education, the University of Maine at Farmington’s dining service provider, agreed Thursday to pay $14,363 in restitution for money he stole from the company over nine months.
Matthew Martyn Black, 31, of Farmington, pleaded guilty Jan. 29 to a felony charge of theft. He initially contested repaying that amount, telling police he took less than $10,000, and that he had surreptitiously paid back $2,000 to $3,000, Assistant District Attorney Joshua Robbins said in January.
Black’s attorney, Jason Bulay, said in Superior Court Thursday that Black has withdrawn his opposition and has agreed to repay $14,363. Black did not attend the hearing.
The theft occurred between October 2013 and June 2014.
Black had worked for the company for three years as office manager and had access to a locked box that contained petty cash. The director of the service would have testified if the case went to trial that he did an audit and discovered $14,363 was missing, according to Robbins.
Black entered into an agreement in January that delays sentencing for two years. If he completes all of the criteria in the agreement, he will be able to withdraw his plea to a felony charge and plead to a misdemeanor charge.
Bulay told the court Thursday that if Black paid $100 a month during the two years, it would be considered a success. There is an agreement with the state that if Black makes substantial payments during the two years, the agreement that delays sentencing could be extended.
Judge Susan Oram, who signed the restitution order, said Black will have to sign it and if he doesn’t, he is to return to court in late April. His first payment is due the first Friday in April.
dperry@sunmediagroup.net
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