Posted on: Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Promoter to ask for case deferral

Advertiser Staff

A Honolulu sports promoter who did not contest a theft charge alleging that he failed to pay the National Football League for Pro Bowl tickets will pay the league the full amount of $557,000 and will ask that he be given a chance to have the case dropped.

Manuel A. Sanchez, 54, has paid part of the amount and will pay the rest before a hearing Monday on whether the theft case can be dropped if he abides by conditions similar to probation, his lawyer Michael Green said.

In November, Sanchez pleaded no contest to the charge that in 2002 and 2003 he did not pay the NFL the money from the ticket sales.

Green said Sanchez has never been in trouble previously and has helped raise money for the community. Green called the case "an aberration" for Sanchez and said he deserves a deferral of his no-contest plea that would clear the way for the dismissal of the charge.

City Deputy Prosecutor Chris Van Marter said he will oppose the request. He said a deferral for a theft case involving that much money "sends the wrong message."

If Circuit Judge Richard Pollack denies the defense request for a deferral Monday, Sanchez would face sentencing on the theft charge, which carries a prison term of up to 10 years.