Elaine Quitugua Terlaje, former CUC credit and collections division supervisor will not be eligible for parole until she has served at least two years in jail and made the full payment of restitution as ordered by the court.
She was given credit for 36 hours already served. She will pay restitution for the economic loss CUC incurred — a minimum of $50,000 up to $100,000. She will also pay a court assessment fee of $100.
Associate Judge Ramona A. Manglona ordered the defendant to report to the Department of Corrections to serve her prison sentence once the court enters its order setting the restitution she has to pay.
Terlaje appeared for a change of plea hearing on Wednesday represented by her counsel Mark B. Hanson. She pleaded guilty to violating the Commonwealth Utilities Code as charged in the information filed on Oct. 24, 2008.
Special Assistant Attorneys General Joseph Przyushi and William Downer appeared on behalf of the government.
The court dismissed with prejudice the two other charges of conspiracy and theft of service against Terlaje.
After her release from prison, she will be on supervised probation for five years.
She will assist in the preparation of any prosecution or collection action the government will undertake against CUC account holders or employees.
She is permanently barred from re-employment with the CUC and will write a letter of apology to CUC and the citizens of the commonwealth.
The letter will be submitted to the island’s two newspapers.
Her jury trial set for March 9, 2009 was vacated but she will return to court for a status conference on March 18.
Terlaje worked for CUC for 18 years after obtaining her associates degree in accounting.
At the change of plea hearing, Terlaje was given an opportunity to address the court prior to the sentencing but she chose not to make a statement.
CUC, through its Executive Director Tony Muna, also waived the right to make any statement.
In her judgment and commitment order, Manglona said the court is not automatically bound to accept the terms of a plea agreement without any consideration.
“The court initially had a difficult time accepting Terlaje’s plea agreement because of the prison term…. The whole conspiracy that lasted for years could not have been possible without Terlaje’s involvement and permission,” Manglona said.
But the court agrees that Terlaje’s acceptance of her liability for committing the offense is a step toward her rehabilitation.
Terlaje was charged with co-defendants Francisco F. Faisao, Joaquin E. Norita, Ricardo C. Sablan and Rita I. Tarope.
Sablan pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office and was sentenced to one year imprisonment, all suspended except for one day.
Tarope, former CUC customer service representative, pleaded guilty to violating the Commonwealth Utilities Code and will be sentenced on April 1.
Faisao was found guilty after a bench trial for violating the Commonwealth Utilities Code.
His sentencing is set for March 2.
Norita, a disconnection crew, entered a guilty plea to violating the Commonwealth Utilities Code and was sentenced to five years, all suspended except for six months to serve without the possibility of parole.
Terlaje and her co-defendants were arrested by the authorities on May 24, 2007.
They were charged with conspiring to reconnect the utility lines of individuals who had been disconnected and not disconnect delinquent accounts. CUC reportedly lost over $300,000 in the scheme.
