CONCORD - A former New Hampshire notary public pleaded guilty on Friday to improper notary activity.
Ian Symons, 52, and formerly of Derry, pleaded guilty in the 10th Circuit-District Division-Derry to one class A misdemeanor count of penalties for misconduct of notaries and public commissioners.
The evidence in this case established that Symons, formerly a notary public and justice of the peace in New Hampshire, notarized a document for Leeanne Mahoney on June 29, 2021.
Specifically, the document was a power of attorney document that would have given Mahoney lawful authority as an agent for her father, Charles Theriault. Symons notarized the document stating that Theriault appeared before Symons and executed the form of his own free will and accord. Following an investigation, Mahoney confirmed that she forged her father's signature, and Symons admitted that Theriault had never appeared in front of him.
As part of a fully negotiated resolution, Symons was sentenced to serve 30 days in the House of Corrections, all suspended for a two-year period, and fined $1,240. Symons has resigned his commission as a notary public and justice of the peace and has agreed to not apply again for either office.
A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to a year in county jail.