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Man gets 3 months in jail for stealing over $19K in utility services
Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio yesterday slapped a three-month prison term against Pete S. Taitano, a 52-year-old man who allegedly stole $19,522.06 in utility services from the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.
Kim-Tenorio sentenced Taitano to two years in prison, all suspended except three months, for pleading guilty to a count of theft of utilities.
Taitano was ordered to pay $19,522.06 in restitution to CUC and a $300 fine.
Kim-Tenorio directed the Marshal Service Division to remand the defendant to the Department of Corrections to immediately start serving the prison sentence.
After completing the prison term, the defendant will be placed on three years of probation. He will be required to perform 300 hours of community work service. He was required to complete any recommended counseling by the Community Guidance Center.
According to the factual basis of the plea deal, on Feb. 23, 2011 to Aug. 23, 2014 on Saipan, Taitano used or received the direct benefit of all or a portion of utility services in the amount of $19,522.06 with knowledge that an unauthorized connection existed at the time of use.
Assistant public defender Michael Sato served as counsel for Taitano. Assistant attorney general Clayton Graef represented the government.
