AUGUSTA ? A Naples man?s conviction for tax related theft was affirmed by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, Attorney General William J. Schneider announced today.

Michael A. Skarbinski, age 50, appealed from a judgment of conviction entered in the Cumberland County Superior Court, following a jury trial in March 2010. Superior Court Justice Roland Beaudoin found Skarbinski guilty of one count of theft by deception (Class C); two counts of criminal attempted theft by deception (Class D); and three counts of making and subscribing false tax returns (Class D).

AUGUSTA ? A Biddeford man pled guilty and was sentenced on charges he violated the Maine Civil Rights Act, Attorney General William J. Schneider announced.

Adam D. Goodwin, age 36, pled guilty in York County Superior Court in Alfred to assault, interference with constitutional and civil rights, and a criminal violation of a civil rights injunction. Following the plea, Superior Court Justice G. Arthur Brennan sentenced Goodwin to nine months in the York County Jail.

AUGUSTA ?Maine Attorney General William Schneider announced today that he has settled concerns about reduced competition as a result of the proposed acquisition by Irving Oil Terminal, Inc. and Irving Oil Limited (?Irving?) of ExxonMobil petroleum products storage and transportation assets in Maine.

Under the original deal made public in November 2009, Irving would have acquired ExxonMobil?s petroleum products terminals in South Portland and Bangor, as well as the pipeline connecting the two terminals.

AUGUSTA ? Attorney General William J. Schneider today gave the keynote address at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy?s 20th Basic Law Enforcement Training Program Graduation Ceremony, held at the Academy?s Oak Grove Road facilities in Vassalboro.

Forty-five cadets from state, county, municipal and state agency organizations successfully completed the rigorous 18 week training. The following cadets received their badges in today?s ceremony:

AUGUSTA ? In light of recent cases of local home heating oil dealers going out of business without fulfilling the prepaid accounts of customers, Attorney General William Schneider today urged Maine residents to do their homework before purchasing oil.

In 2005 the Maine legislature enacted a statute that prohibits home heating oil dealers from offering prepaid guaranteed price plans without first obtaining one of three forms of financial protection to ensure the dealer?s ability to deliver the product for the agreed-upon price.

AUGUSTA ?Maine Attorney General William J. Schneider today announced a settlement to resolve allegations of unfair debt collection practices for Hollywood Video and Movie Gallery customer accounts.

The customer accounts at issue involve Hollywood Video rental stores in all fifty states and the District of Columbia and approximately 3 million consumers of which 14,531 are Mainers.

When Hollywood Video filed for bankruptcy in 2010 the customer accounts were referred to independent debt collection agencies to collect outstanding late fees and product fees.

OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

AUGUSTA ? A Maine man pled guilty and was sentenced to state prison on charges he possessed child pornography on his computer, Attorney General William J. Schneider announced.

David J. Oakes, age 48, pled guilty on May 6, 2011 in York County Superior Court to one count of Possession of Sexually Explicit Materials (Class C). Following the plea, Superior Court Justice G. Arthur Brennan sentenced Oakes to five years in state prison with all but two and a half years suspended, followed by two years of probation.

AUGUSTA ?Dawn L. Solomon, age 43, of Harrison, was sentenced today in Oxford County Superior Court for stealing more than $4 million from the MaineCare Program, Attorney General William J. Schneider and Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Commissioner Mary Mayhew announced.

OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

?Binge?In-A-Can? Equivalent to Five Beers in One Serving

AUGUSTA ? Maine Attorney General William J. Schneider, along with 16 other attorneys general, today called on Pabst Brewing Company to stop selling or alter its new malt beverage, ?Blast? by Colt 45, because of its high alcohol content and marketing tactics. Known as ?binge-in-a-can?, the drink contains the equivalent of five beers in one serving and is marketed in a way that targets underage youth.