Logging company Crane’s Contract Cutting Inc. has been ordered to pay $204,000 in restitution for the illegal harvest of timber in Washington County.
In an Aug. 24 ruling, Machias District Court Judge John Romei directed the company to pay the restitution for illegal harvesting in Steuben, Cherryfield and Deblois at various times dating back to 2007, according to the Ellsworth American. Crane’s Cutting, owned by David Crane, was found guilty on multiple counts of two civil infractions of harvesting timber near property lines and unlawful cutting of trees. The company pleaded guilty to all of the infractions other than two counts of failure to pay for trees harvested. One of those counts was dismissed, and the company was found guilty of the second. Restitution is due by Sept. 24.
The largest amount due to an individual landowner is $67,701.
