Joaquin E. Norita was also ordered to make a public apology and to pay restitution.
The court stated that Norita allowed a select few to receive continued power service despite their continued failure to pay their dues to CUC.
Norita, represented by his court-appointed counsel Vicent Seman, entered a guilty plea, which the court accepted.
Manglona said Norita will be placed on supervised probation for five years under the direction and supervision of the Office of Adult Probation.
Norita was ordered to pay a fine of $250, $100 in court assessment fee, and $100 in probation service fee.
Norita will also pay $2,216.57 in total restitution to CUC.
He will assist and cooperate in the preparation for the prosecution of his co-defendants by providing testimony and complete information relevant to the case.
Norita will be permanently barred from re-employment with CUC.
Variety learned yesterday that Norita and the other defendant were no longer employed by the agency.
Norita was the fourth of the five defendants to be found guilty of a crime.
The first was Ricardo C. Sablan, who pleaded guilty. Rita Tarope also entered a guilty plea and is now awaiting sentencing.
Another defendant, Francisco Faisao, was found guilty after a bench trial. His sentencing is scheduled for Feb, 25.
The trial of the fourth defendant, Elaine Terlaje, is scheduled for March 9.
During the hearing, Norita acknowledged the wrongfulness of his actions, and accepted responsibility, the court said. “He wanted to bring this case to a closure so that he could go on with his life,” the judge stated.
Norita asked for a more lenient jail sentence due to his family’s need but the court rejected his request “given the impact the crime has had on CUC, a vital agency serving the entire community.”
“Other individuals unfairly suffered when their power services were properly disconnected because they failed to pay their due as required, yet the defendant allowed a select few to receive continue power services despite their continued failure to pay their dues,” Manglona said.
The court, she added, is mindful of the need to impose a sentence that will serve to deter Norita himself and any other inclined to commit the same offense.
