May 25, 2012 – Meanwhile, NOAA agents who also lied not punished.
A Connecticut man has pleaded guilty in federal court to providing false information to the U.S. Commerce Department's special judicial master to obtain reimbursement for fines he had previously paid.
Bruce Fitzsimmons, 54, of Canterbury, Conn. waived indictment and entered a plea Wednesday before U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to knowingly and willfully making a materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement and representation in appealing his fines to Special Judicial Master Charles B. Swartwood III.
Fitzsimmons' attempted deception of Swartwood and recovery of penalties charged for fishing in closed areas took place during the second phase of Swartwood's work for the Commerce Department, which has been reportedly submitted to Commerce Secretary John Bryson, and could be made public at any time.
Read the full story at the Gloucester Times.