North Reading Man Pleads Guilty To Land Survey Scheme

A North Reading man who practiced unlicensed engineering and land surveying pleaded guilty to several criminal charges on Wednesday.

Martin Finch, 35, of North Reading, pleaded guilty in Woburn District Court to charges of larceny by false pretenses over $250, identity theft, and unlicensed practice of engineering or land surveying.

Judge Cesar Archilla sentenced Finch to one year in the House of Correction, suspended for three years with the conditions that he refrain from practicing engineering or land surveying, that Finch pay restitution of $1,400 to the victims, undergo a drug evaluation and receive follow-up treatment, and that he forfeit the computer that authorities seized during the execution of a search warrant.

For one year, Finch was engaging in the unlicensed practice of engineering and land surveying. Finch had never been licensed by the Commonwealth and did not hold any licenses from other jurisdictions. Finch represented himself as a licensed engineer and land surveyor, taking client money, and charging for fraudulent certified plot plans. He also stole the identity of licensed professionals by utilizing their names, license numbers, and the likeness of their engineering and/or land surveying stamps.

“This is an instance where an individual felt he could defraud clients who sought his services in good faith,” said Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan. “Thank you to our partners at the North Reading Police Department and the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure for their work in ending Mr. Finch’s deceptive practices.”

The case was investigated by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure, and the North Reading Police Department.

The prosecutor assigned to the case was Assistant District Attorney Casey Silvia.