In Dover, New Hampshire, a former county sheriff, who resigned amid allegations of misappropriating $19,000 in county funds, was handed a prison sentence on Monday ranging from three and a half to seven years for perjury. Initially, prosecutors sought a longer sentence of seven to 14 years for the accused, Mark Brave.
Brave’s legal representative, Leif Becker, had appealed for a more lenient judgment, suggesting that the court accept a probationary sentence with no prison time, highlighting that Brave had no prior criminal record and had taken responsibility for his offenses. Brave, 39, had made history in 2020 by becoming both the youngest individual and the first African American to be elected sheriff in Strafford County.
In 2023, Brave was apprehended and faced eight felony charges following an inquiry into claims that he had inappropriately used county credit cards. Brave denied the charges, contending that the arrest was politically motivated and declared his intention to contest the accusations. The case centered on allegations that he used a county credit card for trips, supposedly for business meetings that didn’t exist, involving romantic liaisons and subsequently lying about it to a grand jury. By December of that year, Brave opted for administrative leave and then resigned, stating it was in the county’s best interest.
In February, Brave admitted guilt to four charges as a part of a plea deal: two counts of perjury, theft, and falsifying physical evidence. The agreement stipulated that sentences for theft and falsifying evidence would be suspended if certain conditions were met, such as reimbursing the county and abstaining from seeking employment within law enforcement sectors.
During court proceedings, Brave admitted to making poor choices as his personal life was unraveling, as reported by local media. He expressed remorse, stating, “I stand before you embarrassed and ashamed of my own conduct.” Attorney General John Formella emphasized that Brave’s sentence underscores a fundamental principle that no individual is exempt from legal accountability. Formella remarked, “His repeated lies, misuse of taxpayer funds, and abuse of office were not just criminal — they were a profound betrayal of the public trust and the oath he took to serve with integrity.”