DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine (NEWS CENTER)-- The man who swindled the Twin Rivers Kiwanis Club out of tens of thousands of dollars will spend 60 days in jail for his crime. Jeff Gahagan was sentenced today in Piscattaquis County Superior Court. But not before the people he stole from had a chance to speak.
Gahagan's attorney Dale Thistle said, "All kinds of people from the community of Milo saying this is a good man. This is a man of integrity. A man of compassion."
Members of the local Kiwanis club, along with Milo Selectmen, and Gahagan's own daughter spoke on his behalf. The words of his friends and family along with his own apology speech left Gahagan in tears.
"He felt guilt, remorse, and sadness. As you could see if you were in the courtroom. He is a good man that did a bad thing and, in part, he did a bad thing because he has an addictive behavior. We know that addictive behaviors are real," said Thistle.
Gahagan admitted to spending a large portion of money on his gambling addiction.
Both parties and the judge admit a theft of this size would put anyone in prison for up to three years; Gahagan received about two months.
Gahagan will have one year to pay the remaining four thousand dollars. His attorney says the former Milo town manager could be released early on good behavior. There will be no parole.