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Admitted ‘Wonder Blunder’ con man wants to change guilty plea

STAR-ADVERTISER / OCT. 2016

Marc Hubbard walked into Federal Court in Honolulu before pleading guilty. Sentencing has been postponed for the scammer in the “Wonder Blunder” case after he filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea.

The Latest on a man who wants to take back his guilty plea for a Hawaii concert scam:

UPDATE: 11:30 A.M.

Sentencing has been postponed for the scammer in the “Wonder Blunder” case after he filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea.

The North Carolina man had previously admitted to defrauding the University of Hawaii of $200,000 in 2012 by lying about being able to produce a Stevie Wonder fundraiser concert.

A judge postponed Marc Hubbard’s sentencing hearing today after he filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea. U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi set a hearing for March on whether he’ll be allowed to take his plea back.

Hubbard pleaded guilty in 2016 to wire fraud, saying he lied about his ability to secure Wonder for a concert.

In 2012, the university paid a $200,000 deposit, began selling tickets and then learned neither Wonder nor his representatives had authorized a show.

Thousands of tickets were refunded, causing the school embarrassment and prompting investigations.

9:45 A.M.

A North Carolina man who admitted to defrauding the University of Hawaii of $200,000 by lying about being able to produce a Stevie Wonder fundraiser concert now wants to take back his guilty plea.

Marc Hubbard is scheduled to be sentenced today. But he filed a sealed motion to withdraw his plea on Wednesday.

He pleaded guilty in 2016 to wire fraud, saying he lied about his ability to secure Wonder for a concert.

In 2012, the university paid a $200,000 deposit, began selling tickets and then learned neither Wonder nor his representatives had authorized a show.

Thousands of tickets were refunded, causing the school embarrassment and prompting investigations.

Defense attorney William Harrison says it’s unlikely the judge will proceed with sentencing him today now that he wants to withdraw his plea.

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