In a significant legal outcome, Matthew McDonald, a former campaign worker for the late U.S. Senate candidate Max Linn, has been found guilty of theft, accused of misappropriating $225,000 meant for investment in cryptocurrency. The trial, which took place in Ellsworth, began on Wednesday and concluded with the verdict on Thursday. McDonald was convicted of both theft by deception and theft by unauthorized taking.
Prosecutors presented evidence indicating that McDonald misused the funds intended for Linn, who passed away in December 2021, and failed to return any profits from the investment. Instead, McDonald allegedly diverted the money for personal use, including gambling, family expenses, and day trading in stocks and cryptocurrencies for himself.
During the trial, McDonald’s defense argued that Linn was aware of McDonald’s lack of experience in finance, despite entrusting him with the responsibility of managing cryptocurrency investments. Taking the stand in his own defense, McDonald described an imbalance of power between himself and Linn, alleging that he worked without proper compensation on Linn’s Senate campaign and claimed that Linn had displayed violent and abusive behavior. He asserted that his fears regarding Linn’s reaction prevented him from disclosing the loss of the funds earlier.
Despite Linn’s death, prosecutors emphasized the importance of prosecuting such cases, with Maine Assistant Attorney General Charles Boyle stating, “The rights of crime victims don’t pass along when they pass along.” Boyle further noted that pursuing these charges serves the dual purpose of delivering justice for victims and safeguarding the broader community.
As of now, McDonald is out on personal recognizance bail, and a sentencing date has yet to be determined.
