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Hawaii News

Admitted ‘Wonder Blunder’ con man wants to change plea

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STAR-ADVERTISER

Marc Hubbard

Sentencing has been postponed for the defendant 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 fundraising 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 securing 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.

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