ATG NEWS RELEASE: Former Waianae Community Outreach director sentenced
Posted on Apr 4, 2017 in Latest Department NewsHONOLULU – Attorney General Doug Chin announced that state circuit judge Dean E. Ochiai sentenced Sophina Placencia yesterday to one year in jail and four years probation for four counts of first degree theft and one count of second degree theft. Placencia, a former director of Waianae Community Outreach, was originally arrested on March 25, 2015 for taking money from the nonprofit for use by herself, family, and friends.
Attorney General Chin said: “This defendant stole over half a million dollars from a nonprofit whose mission is to provide services to families in need. This theft was a violation of that mission and a slap in the face to the people of Waianae.”
Placencia, 34 years old and a Waianae resident, will begin serving her one year jail term on May 15, 2017. The court ordered restitution as follows: Count (1): $11,434.20; Count (2): $182,434.19; Count (3): $196,784.93; Count (4): $23,300.63; and Count (5): $140,541.48. According to the terms of her sentencing, she must pay no less than $200 per month towards her restitution.
The first degree theft charges were punishable by up to ten years in prison and the second degree theft charge was punishable by up to five years. The prosecution asked the court to sentence Placencia to concurrent five and ten year prison terms due to the magnitude of the theft.
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For more information, contact:
Joshua A. Wisch
Special Assistant to the Attorney General
Phone: (808) 586-1284
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @ATGHIgov