PARIS — A Rumford man has been ordered to repay the state $35,774, after admitting to falsifying his tax returns. 

Scott Knowlton, 57, was indicted on three felony counts of tax evasion and six misdemeanor counts of failure to pay taxes. Under a plea agreement, the felonies were amended to misdemeanors and Knowlton pleaded guilty to all the charges. He was given a 364-day jail sentence, with all but 45 days suspended. 

The state accused Knowlton of claiming residence in New Hampshire to avoid paying Maine state income tax between 2006 and 2008. 

According to Sun Journal records, Scott Knowlton’s wife, Amy Knowlton, was found guilty of felony theft by deception in May 2012 for accepting more than $10,000 in state and federal benefits while Scott, then her boyfriend, was fishing in Alaska sometimes making more than $100,000 a year.

At her trial in May of 2012, Scott said he maintained the New Hampshire residence because of tax issues with his former wife and to avoid paying Maine income taxes on his Alaska wages. He was in the process of a divorce that was finalized in 2008.

During that time, Scott Knowlton claimed Amy’s parents’ house in New Hampshire as his legal residence while she lived in Rumford.

At the time, Amy said she had access to the money but that it belonged to Scott. She was later sentenced to 90 days in prison and ordered to repay the state $18,000.

Scott Knowlton’s sentence was stayed until May 1. 

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