A federal judge sentenced a Waimanalo woman Monday to two years in prison for stealing more than $400,000 from her employer.
Rhona K. Pizarro has until Nov. 3 to begin serving her sentence.
She pleaded guilty in June to the unauthorized use of two of her employer’s credit cards.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright ordered Pizarro to repay Filter Queen Hawaii Inc. the $430,372 she stole from the Makiki business between 2005 and 2010.
Barry Schneider told Seabright on Monday that his 86-year-old father, Norman Schneider, started Filter Queen 61 years ago.
"The impact this crime has had on our small business and family has been devastating," Schneider said.
He said the theft damaged his father’s credit and health.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Johnson said that when the business’s account balance dropped, Schneider had to chose between paying his employees, paying the health care premium for them or buying parts and equipment.
The elder Schneider hired Pizarro in 1981 as an administrative assistant and later promoted her to bookkeeper.
Johnson said Pizarro had access to one of the company’s credit cards before 2005 but began stealing from the company when she gained access to a second credit card.
Pizarro admitted that she used the credit cards to obtain cash advances, purchase personal items, repair her own family’s vehicles and pay her electrical bill.
She faced the Schneiders in court and apologized.
"I know it’s been bad for your family. I’m sorry, I’m truly sorry," Pizarro said.
Seabright said the court’s probation office will decide what percentage of her earnings shall be applied toward her restitution after she completes her prison term.
