East Hampton fishermen plead guilty in permit case

Two members of a legendary East Hampton fishing family admitted Wednesday to making more than $1,000 by catching and selling fish without permits.

Dan Lester and his brother, Paul Lester, each pleaded guilty in East Hampton Town Court to one misdemeanor count of illegal commercialization of fish.

With the guilty pleas, they avoided going to trial on more serious felony charges, including catching fish out of season.

They each agreed to pay fines of $5,000.

The Lesters acknowledged catching about 200 pounds each of summer flounder last year in Gardiners Bay.

Dan Lester said he sold his catch to an Amagansett fish market for $585; Paul Lester said he sold his for $613 to a Bronx market.

After their January arrests, the brothers each had pleaded not guilty to two felony and five misdemeanor counts in connection with harvesting of scup (porgies) and fluke out of season and without permits, respectively.

They each faced more than $45,000 in fines and a year in jail if convicted.