Attorney General John M. Formella announces that former New Hampshire Notary and Justice of the Peace Ian Symons pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor relating to improper notary activity.
On June 16, 2023, Mr. Symons, age 52 and formerly of Derry, pled guilty in the 10th Circuit–District Division–Derry to one class A misdemeanor count of Penalties for Misconduct of Notaries and Public Commissioners contrary to RSA 455:16.
The evidence in this case established that Mr. 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 Ms. Mahoney lawful authority as an agent for her father, Charles Theriault. Mr. Symons notarized the document stating that Mr. Theriault appeared before Mr. Symons and executed the form of his own free will and accord. Following an investigation, Ms. Mahoney confirmed that she forged her father’s signature. Mr. Symons admitted that Mr. Theriault had never appeared in front of him.
As part of a fully negotiated resolution, Mr. Symons was sentenced to serve 30 days in the House of Corrections, all suspended for a two-year period, and fined $1,240. Mr. Symons has resigned his commission as a Notary Public and as a Justice of the Peace and has agreed to not apply again for either office.
This matter was investigated and prosecuted by members of the Attorney General’s Election Law Unit after a referral by both the Derry Police Department and the Concord Police Department. The Election Law Unit investigates and prosecutes election law violations, including allegations of Notary Public and Justice of the Peace misconduct.