PORTLAND — A former Scarborough man, who had been scheduled for trial today on charges that he helped con a church out of $400,000, has agreed to a plea deal that lets him avoid more jail time in exchange for paying money to the church.
Darren McDunnah, 51, promised the Addulum Gospel Church in New York state a $1.6 million return on a $400,000 investment in 2004, but actually planned to use the money himself. The church had hoped to use its investment return to pay for starting up two religious radio stations. The church was able to recoup its principal from a third party, authorities said.
McDunnah was indicted five years ago, failed to show up for scheduled court hearings and had been living out of state. He was arrested in February in Arizona and has been held for more than a year at Cumberland County Jail. His bail was set at $10,000 until late December, when it was reduced to $2,500.
McDunnah rejected two court-appointed lawyers and had opted to represent himself. As part of a plea deal, he agreed Monday to plead guilty to securities fraud.
Assistant Attorney General Michael Colleran said that in exchange for the guilty plea, the state will drop a felony theft charge and postpone sentencing. If McDunnah pays $16,000 to the church by next March, prosecutors will recommend he serve no additional jail time, Colleran said. However, if McDunnah is unable to pay the church by that time the court will impose a jail sentence of up to five years, with credit for the 13 months he has already served.
“We are pleased that Mr. McDunnah decided to accept responsibility for defrauding the church.” Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Moskowitz accepted the plea.
McDunnah, son of a longtime Boothbay Harbor police chief, was indicted five years ago along with Thomas Acker, who lived in Hollis and had a law practice in Falmouth. Acker pleaded guilty in 2008 to the church fraud and other investment schemes. He was sentenced to almost three years in prison.
Staff Writer David Hench can be contacted at 791-6327 or at: dhench@pressherald.com
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