October 22, 2007

NEW HAMPSHIRE MAN ARRAIGNED ON CHARGES OF
FALSE STATEMENT

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated Robert H. Sarvis, 62, of Swanzey, New Hampshire, pleaded not guilty in United States District Court to an indictment charging him with making false statements to the United States Probation Office during his term of supervised release. Saris was convicted in 1995 for bank fraud and was sentenced to 46 months in prison to be followed by a 5 year term of supervised release.

The indictment charges that Sarvis knowingly and willfully made false, fraudulent, and fictitious material statements and representations on a 2002 Net Worth Statement and two Monthly Supervision Reports that he submitted to the United States Probation Office. Sarvis owes over $12,000,000 in restitution to the victims of his 1995 conviction and was required as part of his supervised release to submit accurate financial information to his supervising officer. The indictment alleges that Sarvis concealed a bank account, an interest in two lots of real estate on Nantucket Island, the transfer of that real estate interest to his children, checks written for the maintenance and storage of a 47 foot boat at Shelburne Shipyard in Shelburne, Vermont, and his controlling interest in a corporation he formed, Capstan, Inc.

The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty. If he is convicted, Sarvis faces a maximum possible term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of $250,000.

The United States Attorney commended the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The defendant is represented by Richard I. Rubin. The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney, Nancy J. Creswell.