NORTH HAVERHILL, N.H. (AP) — A Massachusetts man who ran an unsuccessful bid for the New Hampshire House has been convicted for deceptive forestry business practices.
Valley News reports 49-year-old Arthur Stout received a 12-month suspended prison sentence and was ordered to pay more than $53,000 in restitution to three landowners in Hanover, Wentworth and Unity.
Forest Ranger Capt. Douglas Miner says Stout failed to pay the landowners the amount agreed upon in their contract. He owns Northern Timber Inc., a former logging firm that now has a focus on construction in Massachusetts.
Stout declined to comment Monday.
Stout will remain out of prison as long as he maintains good behavior. He has been prohibited from buying or selling forest products in New Hampshire.
He unsuccessfully ran for the New Hampshire House in 2010.