LIHU‘E — Addiction to cocaine caused Lincoln Robert Hueston to habitually steal money from an employer who trusted him like a family member, 5th Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe heard in her courtroom last week. Calling that violation of trust and
LIHU‘E — Addiction to cocaine caused Lincoln Robert Hueston to habitually steal money from an employer who trusted him like a family member, 5th Circuit Judge Kathleen Watanabe heard in her courtroom last week.
Calling that violation of trust and continued thievery even when Hueston saw his employer’s business sliding toward bankruptcy “egregious,” Watanabe sentenced Hueston to 10 years in prison June 3 at the Lihu‘e courthouse.
Hueston, 56, was originally charged with one count of first-degree theft and 105 counts of second-degree forgery, then later pleaded guilty to the theft charge and 49 forgery counts.
He stole at least $212,000 from his employer, King Marine of Wailua Homesteads, while working as controller for King Marine, receiving money on the company’s behalf and then writing company checks to himself to fuel his drug habit, statements in court revealed.
“This has got to be one of the most egregious theft cases this court has ever seen,” Watanabe said before issuing the sentence.
William King, owner of King Marine, said the result of the theft is not only that he’ll likely lose his business and his home, but that at his current age of 73 he’ll probably never be able to retire.
“We treated him (Hueston) like part of the family. We totally trusted him,” King said. “It’s been a traumatic experience that I don’t think I’ll ever get over.
“The way it looks right now, I’ll probably lose my business. I’ll probably never be able to retire,” said King, trembling and nearly in tears.
“Lincoln is a liar, a cheat and a thief, and he’s been doing it for years,” King said.
“Mr. Hueston preyed on Mr. King,” said Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho, county prosecuting attorney. “The greed took over.”
Iseri-Carvalho said Hueston knew how the thefts — sometimes as large as $8,000 to $10,000 a month at one time — were hurting King and his business, yet he continued doing it.
“The impact on this family can’t be undone,” said Iseri-Carvalho, adding that where King should have a nest egg there is indebtedness, tax problems, and life “in ruins at this point.
“This defendant betrayed his hanai family” and the love and trust of two families, Iseri-Carvalho said.
“He (King) has been victimized to the nth degree here,” Watanabe said.
Hueston “violated the high degree of trust your employer had in you,” she said.
“I’m totally embarrassed and ashamed of myself, and hope someday you’ll be able to forgive me,” Hueston said, apologizing to the King family and his own wife and family.
“He had a very heavy drug habit,” cocaine, said John Calma, public defender, representing Hueston. Calma asked for an 18-month jail term, probation, and pledged his client would make full restitution.
“He knows he did wrong,” Calma said, adding that a 10-year jail sentence would deprive Hueston of most of the rest of his fruitful life that he needs in order to pay restitution.
“He betrayed their trust,” Calma said of Hueston’s relationship with the King family.
Iseri-Carvalho said Hueston had two years already to pay restitution and paid none.
Watanabe said the Kings continued to trust Hueston and Hueston continued to steal from them. It would be “irresponsible” for her to sentence Hueston to anything less than 10 years, she said.
Iseri-Carvalho was not even asking for the maximum sentence for the crimes Hueston pleaded guilty to, Watanabe said.
In addition to the jail time (Hueston will get credit for the time he has already served), Watanabe ordered Hueston to pay King restitution in the amount of $212,060.10, and over $5,000 to the victim compensation fund.
