FORMER PSS MANAGER TO ENTER GUILTY PLEA IN EMBEZZLEMENT CASE

Former manager of Pacific Shipping Services (PSS) Lepuiai Allen Mayer who’s implicated on allegations of misappropriating for his personal use close to $400,000 belonging to PSS has been schedule to appear in court for a change of plea hearing.

Mayer is charged with embezzlement, forgery and stealing which are all class C felonies, punishable by up to seven years in jail, a fine of up to $50,000, a fine equal to twice the amount gained from the commission of crime, up to $20,000 — or both fine and jail time.

According to the government’s case, this matter was reported to the police on March 6, 2014 by a board member from the Pacific Shipping Services Office based in Apia, Samoa.

Court filings say that on Oct. 24, 2013 a PSS official met with Mayer in an attempt to transfer monies from the local PSS account to the PSS account in New Zealand, but Mayer told the official there was no money. It’s alleged Mayer also told him that he had used the money and not charged customers the correct amount.

At that time Mayer presented the PSS official with a resignation letter and told him there was only $2,000 left in the account. The official told police that he was expecting close to $400,000 in the account. It’s alleged when Mayer handed over his resignation letter, he also told the PSS official that he had forged the ANZ statements and that he would pay back all the money. 

“Defendant also stated that there were no records of the cash book, bank deposit books, invoices or other company records. Also, the defendant was specifically asked if there was a second account opened and he replied, no.”

However, in November, it was discovered the PSS official that a second account was created in the name of PSS, by Mayer at the Bank of Hawai’i and the defendant was named sole signatory. According to the government’s case, Mayer fraudulently opened an account with BoH using a forged authorization letter from PSS with a signature of the company’s President/Director.

NORMAN SKELTON JAILED FOR 10 DAYS IN A MACHETE INCIDENT

Norman Skelton 19-year-old, who assaulted another male using a machete was sentenced to serve 10 days in jail, as part of his 12 months probation during his sentencing this week. Skelton pleaded guilty to third degree assault and under age driving. District Court Judge Elvis Pila Patea, pointed out that Skelton’s action were severe and that while overly intoxicated he walked around the main road with a machete leading to the incident that landed him before the court.

Skelton was ordered not to consume alcohol, undergo drugs and alcohol counseling, and to pay fine of $150 and he’s to commit to community service under the guidance of the probation office. According to the government’s case it was reported to the police that the defendant who was accompanied by Eddie Satele, was walking around with a machete on the main road in Ottoville and swearing out loud.

It’s alleged that when police approached the intersection in the area, they saw the two men sitting at the bus stop and when they were getting close to them, Skelton and Satele took off running. Police lost them at that time, however other police officers who were in the same area ran into Satele and Skelton, who was allegedly waving the machete at the cops in a threatening manner, say court filings. Police were able to arrest the defendants, however when they were apprehended the police could not locate the machete.