Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 29/02) - A promise to turn a quick profit on Snowcats has landed a Fort Simpson man time in jail.

Kevin Michael Mulligan will serve a year in jail after defrauding a Hay River man of $9,500.

Mulligan's entire body shook visibly as he sat down and slumped over the defence desk after NWT Supreme Court Justice John Vertes read the sentence in a Yellowknife courtroom.

Mulligan, 50, had previously pleaded guilty to one charge of fraud in a Fort Simpson court.

The guilty plea came late in the trial when, according to the judge, Mulligan had backed himself into a corner with what appeared to be "blatant lies."

In his sentencing, Vertes said Mulligan had conned Jim Maysenholder into a fake business transaction.

Mulligan told Maysenholder he would arrange transportation of Snowcat vehicles from Ontario, where he would buy them from government surplus, and sell them in the NWT for a profit.

Mulligan was sentenced to 12 months in jail, followed by 16 months probation.

He must also make full restitution of the $9,500.