Nick Reyes
SUPERIOR Court Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio sentenced Nick Masga Reyes on Thursday for conspiracy-related charges tied to misconduct in public office and theft by deception.
Reyes was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment, all suspended except for 60 days, with 15 days’ credit for time served, for conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office. For conspiracy to commit theft by deception, he received two years in prison, all suspended except 60 days, also with 15 days’ credit. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning Reyes will serve a total of 45 days in prison.
In addition to his prison term, Reyes will serve five years’ probation, perform 200 hours of community service, and pay a $2,500 fine. He is also prohibited from government employment for 10 years. Under a proposed sentencing agreement, Reyes waived his right to appeal.
At the sentencing, Reyes appeared with his attorney, Joaquin Torres, and remained under pre-sentencing release conditions. Following the hearing, Judge Kim-Tenorio remanded Reyes to the custody of the Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence immediately.
Assistant Attorney General David Karch, in a statement, said: “The Commonwealth and Mr. Reyes reached an agreement on a fair sentence, which the Court accepted. Mr. Reyes is accorded justice and government employees are on notice that this kind of misconduct can result in prison time and a 10-year ban on working for the government. The agreement ensures resources of the Attorney General’s Office that might have been tied up in an appeal can be directed to bigger cases. More is coming.”
Last April, a jury found Reyes guilty of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, conspiracy to commit theft by deception, and theft by deception. His co-defendant, Chuilian Fu, owner of F&S Corporation, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit theft by deception and theft by deception.
Judge Kim-Tenorio later rejected Reyes’ conviction for theft by deception, ruling that he had no control over the funds for the construction of a patio at the Parole Office. Reyes previously served as the chief of parole.
Fu’s attorney, Cong Nie, requested a continuance to study and prepare a joint sentencing recommendation with the prosecution. Judge Kim-Tenorio granted the request, rescheduling Fu’s sentencing for Sept. 12 at 9 a.m., with the joint recommendation due Sept. 5.
Court filings show that on or about Oct. 4, 2022, Reyes and Fu agreed that “one or both would engage in or solicit theft of property by deception, to wit, the construction of a patio at the Parole Office purportedly by a tailoring company owned by Chuilian Fu’s F&S Corporation in the amount of $9,997.80, but actually constructed by uncompensated labor performed by parolees under the direction of … Reyes.”
