AUGUSTA

— The Maine Attorney General’s Office says a man with Augusta and Boothbay Harbor addresses has been sentenced to 11 months in prison for theft in connection with an advance-fee loan scheme he operated.

Donald Shields, 66, was sentenced in Kennebec County Superior Court to two years in prison, with 13 months suspended, and one year of probation for a felony theft conviction.

Prosecutors say Shields’ scheme targeted distressed businesses unable to obtain conventional financing. He solicited payments from businesspeople who were seeking commercial loans after falsely claiming that he had the intent and ability to secure the loans.


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