THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Wednesday, September 26, 2012— Page 5
FRANCHISE from page 3 In the same statement, Bethany Youssef also said Josh Youssef sold his Same Day Computer franchise in Portsmouth to Robbie Fisher for $50,000 but never claimed it as income. She said Fisher claimed the $50,000 as a business expense on his federal tax return. Fisher, who is a Democratic candidate for a seat in the state House of Representatives from Laconia, said yesterday that he reported the purchase price as a liability on his taxes however, has agreed to pay Same Day computer $1,000 a month for 50 months to satisfy the debt. Youssef said his company reports the $1,000 monthly payment as income. Fisher said the purchase price covers the right to use the name Same Day Computer, Inc. in Portsmouth, an exclusive right to use the franchise name in the Portsmouth area, and the “good will” that comes along with the franchise name. Fisher said he goes back and forth from Laconia to Portsmouth frequently and his brother is the manager of the Portsmouth franchise. He also has taken over paying the lease on the “bricks and mortar” office space at 369 Islington St.in Portsmouth. Fisher also maintains his status as one of Youssef’s employees in Laconia and is the chief operations officer of what his business card refers to as the corporate office. On Monday, Youssef verified the arrangement he struck with Fisher. Bethany Youssef also asked the court to depose — or interview under oath — Fisher about the financial arrangement the two reached. “There is a deposition,” said Fisher on Monday, but he declined to elaborate. Youssef’s financial records filed with the court as they pertain to his lengthy and often acrimonious child-support issue are sealed. Concord Monitor reporter Annemarie Timmons has filed a request with the court to unseal those records, citing case law that says a candidate’s choice to enter the political arena lowers his or her expectations of privacy and go to the heart of what voters need to know before casting a vote for an elected official. The court has asked Youssef’s lawyer give it a legal justification as to why he doesn’t want his personal finances released and has set a hearing day of October 16. On Monday, Timmons filed a motion to expedite the hearing saying the voting public is entitled to know his financial information before the November 6 election and that “the privacy secured by law (is) for those who elect not to place themselves in the public spotlight.” Youssef also said Monday he wants it known that Franklin Mayor Ken Merrifield knew, and had posted on his Facebook page, that there were people other than those named “Ken” who signed “sticky notes” in a mailer his campaign sent to Franklin voters when he made the contents of the mailer known in the days immediately preceding the election. GOP leaders said they are satisfied with the answers Youssef posted on his Website regarding the mailing, however, Mosca has filed a formal complaint with the state office of the Attorney General. Merrifield supported Youssef’s primary opponent William “Bill” Grimm. He contended the sticky notes were an attempt to make Franklin voters believe he supported Youssef. from preceding page him,”Embree said, adding that he just wanted an itemized bill. Youssef also said yesterday and Embree agreed, that Youssef’s insurer was planning on appealing the decision and attorneys for both sides agreed on a $60,000 settlement. Youssef said is is also the only time he has been sued in the course of his business and records in Belknap County Superior Court support that. Both men also said yesterday that while they no longer have a business relationship, they are cordial to each other and have spoken during casual events. They are both members of the same gym. “He is very friendly to me when I see him,” said Embree. “He doesn’t appear to hold any grudges.”
Handgun stolen out of Gilford truck recovered
GILFORD — Police said yesterday they have recovered the handgun stolen from a Abenaki Path man’s pickup September 16. Det. Christopher Jacques said the investigation into the overnight thefts from at least six vehicles in the Lake Shore Road area of town continues but, with the handgun in their possession, they have recovered all of the weapons stolen that evening. With the assistance of the Laconia Police and the owner of Martel’s Bait & Sport Shop, Gilford Police were able to recover a compound bow stolen from the same victim’s truck. Gilford Police charged Brandon Heacox with one
count of felony receiving stolen property for the compound bow but Jacques said at this time no charges have been filed against anyone in regards to the handgun. The victim had been hunting earlier Saturday and had the bow in his truck and the handgun in his center console. He recalled locking his truck with his remote key around 10:30 p.m. and noticed the theft the next morning. Anyone with any information about this or any other crime in Gilford is asked to call Gilford Police at 527-4737. — Gail Ober
HORSE from page 2 come out of their homes” and a train to slow down as Cowart crossed over a set of railroad tracks. Police kept their emergency lights on, but did not use their sirens to prevent the horse from being frightened and “potentially making the situation worse.” Cowart ignored several verbal commands to get off the horse, which after more half an hour, became exhausted. Cowart eventually jumped off and took off running. He was captured a short time later. The horse returned to Cowart’s family and is doing fine, police said.
Cowart was booked into the Flagler County Jail on charges that included disorderly conduct, resisting arrest without violence and cruelty to animals. He was being held Tuesday on $7,000 bond. A message was left Tuesday at a phone listing for Cowart in Bunnell, about 60 miles south of Jacksonville. It was not immediately known if he has an attorney. Cowart was arrested for petit theft on Sept. 9 and on a DUI charge in October 2010. The disposition of those charges wasn’t immediately known.