Vermont storyteller and filmmaker Mac
Parker has accepted a plea deal for what prosecutors say was a Ponzi scheme
disguised as a movie project.
Prosecutors say Parker and his
partner, Louis Soteriou of Connecticut, collected $28 million over a nine-year
period for a movie they were making called "The Birth of Innocence."
Prosecutors say only about $700,000 went toward making the film. The rest went
toward funding Soteriou's "spiritual journey" and paying back earlier
investors.
When state authorities first began
investigating the movie two years ago, Parker and his supporters claimed they
were being persecuted by overzealous regulators.
Now Parker has agreed to plead guilty
to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and tax crimes. As part of the deal, he has
agreed to testify against Soteriou, who has been indicted on fraud, conspiracy
and money laundering charges.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:06 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:06:59 GMT
A historic building in North Bennington will have new owners and a new purpose. Merchant's Bank donated the building to the Fund for North Bennington and the Preservation Trust of Vermont. That buildingMore >>
A historic building in North Bennington will have new owners and a new purpose.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:05 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:05:58 GMT
Do you know how much time your children or grandchildren spend in phys ed? Where you live in Vermont can make a big difference in answering that question. This week on the Channel 3 News at 6 p.m., EducationMore >>
Do you know how much time your children or grandchildren spend in phys ed? Where you live in Vermont can make a big difference in answering that question.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:58 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:58:30 GMT
New Hampshire U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter has introduced an amendment that would protect pipeline activity between Portland, Maine and Montreal, Canada.More >>
New Hampshire U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter has introduced an amendment that would protect pipeline activity between Portland, Maine and Montreal, Canada.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:09 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:09:03 GMT
Work on a chain reaction road project is in full swing starting in Northfield. Crews are working on the final coat of pavement on Route 12 and 12A, and hope to wrap up shortly. The next phase in RandolphMore >>
Work on a chain reaction road project is in full swing starting in Northfield.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:21:49 GMT
The Vermont Standard is 160 years and still going strong. "You know, sometimes just before deadline I feel like I was here from day one, 160 years," said Phil Camp, the owner and publisher of the VermontMore >>
This year marks a special anniversary for a small weekly newspaper based in Woodstock. The Vermont Standard has been printing the news for 160 years. And despite ups and downs, it hasn't missed a beat.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:13 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:13:15 GMT
New Hampshire celebrates a century of picking presidents. Today marks the 100th anniversary of the law that created the Granite State's famous First-in-the-Nation presidential primary. As a result ofMore >>
New Hampshire celebrates a century of picking presidents.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:32 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:32:34 GMT
Free admission for the military all summer long at the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier and the Vermont History Center in Barre. They join more than 1,800 museums across the country to join in theMore >>
Free admission for the military all summer long at the Vermont History Museum in Montpelier and the Vermont History Center in Barre.More >>
