A former state boating official pleaded guilty in state court Thursday to charges that he embezzled nearly $125,000 from the state.
Wesley Choi, 39, pleaded guilty to first-degree theft, using a computer to commit the crime and two counts of second-degree forgery. He remains free without bail pending sentencing.
Under the terms of his plea agreement with the state attorney general, if Choi repays $124,966 by the time a state judge sentences him on May 23, he will get five years of probation but will have to serve the first 18 months of it behind bars.
He will also have to pay $12,000 in fines, $640 in court costs and fees, perform 750 hours of community service and write a letter of apology to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation.
If he does not pay back the money by the time he is sentenced, he will be given a 10-year prison term, according to the plea deal.
For its part the state agreed to reduce the computer charge to a class B felony, which carries a maximum 10-year prison term, from a class A felony, which carries a mandatory 20-year prison term.
The state said in a criminal complaint that Choi stole the money from May 29, 2008, through March 17, 2011. The complaint also says Choi forged procurement bids purported to be from Keehi Marine Inc. on April 8 and Aug. 7, 2008.
State Deputy Attorney General Vince Kanemoto said the state discovered Choi’s crimes while investigating a complaint.
Choi was assistant district manager for small boat harbors on Oahu, including Ala Wai, Keehi, Waianae, Haleiwa and Heeia Kea, before resigning last year.
