A man accused of marrying four women pleads guilty

DOVER, N.H. – A man accused of being married to four women pleaded guilty on Monday to bigamy in New Hampshire, but he will avoid the punishment of jail time if he behaves for the next five years.

Michael Middleton, 43, married Georgia (2006), Alabama (2011) and a woman from New Hampshire (2013). This led to a charge of bigamy in New Hampshire, but according to court documents, he also married a fourth wife 2016

Prosecutors say that he used weddings to gain access to women's assets. In court on Monday, Strafford County Deputy Attorney General, Michael Rotman, read a statement from Alicia Grant, Middleton's wife in New Hampshire, who blamed Middleton for his transformation of a caring person. in a person with an attitude "not my problem".

She said that she was "satisfied" with the fact that he was facing the consequences of his acts

"When we got married six years ago, I thought I had found in him a life partner, someone with whom I could cope with the ups and downs of life, somebody whom I kids could admire, "Grant wrote. "Instead, I had six years of pain and misery while I was trying to free myself from prison of his lies and his manipulations."

Middleton was arrested in Ohio in February. He has also faced charges of domestic violence in Maine.

As part of his 12-month suspended sentence, Middleton was sentenced to be tested for domestic violence and addiction and to comply with any recommended program or counseling. Neither he nor his lawyer spoke at the hearing other than to answer brief questions from the judge.

After the hearing, Middleton was asked if he was sorry for his actions. He told reporters that he had felt "compassionate and understanding" for his New Hampshire wife, Grant, after hearing his letter.

"It was a good result," he said. "I hope to move forward with my life and all the rest, and respect everything that has been passed on to me."