Posted on: Tuesday, November 30, 2004

Promoter doesn't dispute $500,000 Pro Bowl theft

By Ken Kobayashi
Advertiser Courts Writer

A Honolulu sports promoter pleaded no contest yesterday to the theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars that he did not pay the National Football League for Pro Bowl ticket sales.

But ticket dealer Manuel A. Sanchez, 54, also is asking Circuit Judge Richard Pollack to grant him a chance to have the charge dropped.

City Deputy Prosecutor Randal Lee said he'll oppose that request.

Sanchez was charged with the theft between November 2002 and August 2003 by not paying the NFL about $500,000 from the ticket sales. Lee said Sanchez has paid only about $100,000.

Sanchez's lawyer Michael Green said the rest of the money will be paid in about 30 days.

In pleading no contest, Sanchez is not disputing the charge. Under state law, judges normally find defendants guilty based on their no contest pleas, but in this case, Sanchez is asking the judge to postpone accepting the plea.

If Sanchez abides by conditions similar to probation, the criminal charge would be erased from his record and he would not be found guilty by the judge.

Pollack scheduled a hearing on Sanchez's request for Feb. 22. If the judge denies the request, Sanchez would be found guilty and face sentencing on the charge that carries up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.

Lee said that if Sanchez's request is denied, he wants to talk to the NFL and see if Sanchez pays the league the full amount before Lee determines what he will recommend as a sentence.

Lee said full payment will be "significant" for him on deciding what to recommend.

Reach Ken Kobayashi at kkobayashi@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8030.