North Reading Man Arraigned for Impersonating a Licensed Engineer

A North Reading man was arraigned on charges related to "the unlicensed practice of engineering and land surveying" on Friday. 

Martin Finch, 34, of North Reading, was arraigned in Woburn District Court on charges of larceny over $250 (two counts), identity fraud (two counts), and the unlicensed practice of engineering or land surveying. Woburn District Court Judge Sarah Singer released Fitch with conditions that he refrain from engaging in the practice of engineering or land surveying and have no contact with the victims, according to a statement by Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, North Reading Police Chief Michael Murphy and Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure Director Mark Kmetz.

According to the DA's office:           

"Authorities allege that for approximately one year, Finch was engaging in the unlicensed practice of engineering and land surveying. DPL states that Finch has never been licensed by the Commonwealth and does not hold any licenses from other jurisdictions. It is alleged that the defendant would represent himself as a licensed engineer and land surveyor, taking client money, and charging for fraudulent certified plot plans. The defendant allegedly stole the identity of licensed professionals by utilizing their names, license numbers, and the likeness of their engineering and/or land surveying stamps. DPL’s Board of Registration of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors licenses qualified individuals to practice engineering and land surveying as professions in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

"On behalf of the Board, DPL investigated complaints related to the unlicensed practice of engineering and land surveying by Finch. The DPL continued this investigation by bringing it to the attention of law enforcement in North Reading Police Department and subsequently this was brought to the attention of the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office which worked cooperatively to investigate, obtain and execute a search warrant of the defendant’s home office. Finch operated a home office in North Reading.

"The public is asked to contact the Special Investigations Unit of the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office at 781-897-6700 if they believe that they may have been a victim of Finch conducting unlicensed engineering or land surveying on their behalf."