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A former pharmacy worker pleaded no contest Monday to stealing nearly $700,000 worth of diabetes test strips.
Stacie-Lynn Pihana faces a maximum 10-year prison term at sentencing in September for first-degree theft. Pihana, 48, pleaded no contest to the charge in state court Monday.
“She’s taking responsibility,” Pihana’s lawyer Michael Green said. “There’s no (plea) agreement with the (state). We didn’t ask for an agreement. She pled no contest, and we’ll see what the judge does.”
Green said he’s hoping the judge will grant Pihana probation.
Deputy Prosecutor Chris Van Marter said Pihana deserves prison.
“The amount is too high and it went on for too long for her to walk out of court with a sentence of probation,” he said.
Van Marter said the only way he’ll agree to probation is if Pihana is able to pay back the money she stole before sentencing.
Green said the chances of Pihana paying back the money are slim to none.
Pihana was working as a pharmacy technician at Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center when she stole 2,346 cases of test strips worth $695,618 from July 1, 2016, to Sept. 29, 2017. WCCC discovered the theft during a financial audit in October. The audit showed that an inventory had not been performed as scheduled in June 2017. It was Pihana’s job to do the inventory.
Van Marter said WCCC security cameras captured video of Pihana hiding the stolen cases of test strips in the recycling bin, then retrieving them after the bins were taken outside. He said Pihana then placed the cases in her car or loaded them into a car or truck that pulled up to the facility.
Pihana has so far refused to name the person or persons who assisted her or to whom she sold the test strips.
Van Marter said police are able to identify the make and model of the car and truck but unable to get their license plate numbers.
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