Posted on: Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Publicist fined for theft of $557,604

By Ken Kobayashi
Advertiser Courts Writer

A Honolulu sports and business promoter was fined $25,000 and ordered to perform 250 hours of community service for failing to pay the National Football League more than half a million dollars from Pro Bowl ticket sales.

But Manuel A. Sanchez also was granted a chance to have a felony theft charge against him dropped if he pays the fine, performs the community service and abides by conditions similar to probation for five years. Sanchez has paid the NFL $557,604 since being charged.

Sanchez, 54, earlier chose not to challenge the charge that he stole the money in 2002 and 2003. He pleaded no contest to the charge, which carries a prison term of up to 10 years.

But Circuit Judge Richard Pollack yesterday granted Sanchez's request to defer accepting the no contest plea, clearing the way for the dismissal of the case.

City Deputy Prosecutor Christopher Van Marter opposed the deferral request and asked that Sanchez be placed on probation and serve up to a year in jail.

Van Marter said Sanchez paid the NFL money that didn't belong to him and said the granting of Sanchez's request sends "the wrong message to the community."

"The court, in effect, tells the community that you can steal a half million dollars and the worst that will happen is you'll get a deferral," Van Marter said.

But Michael Green, Sanchez's lawyer, said the judge's ruling "sends exactly the right message."

Green said the message is that repeat offenders will get prison, but the criminal offense is the first for Sanchez, who has led an "exemplary life" by helping the disadvantaged and raising money for community causes.

He said his client realizes he made a mistake, is remorseful and apologized to the prosecution, the NFL and the judge.

"If you balance the scales, your good deeds have to count for something," Green said.

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