|
|
|
Uploaded: Wednesday, July 18, 2012, 11:33 PM
Former Portola Valley superintendent offered plea bargain on felony charges
Former Portola Valley schools superintendent is accused of stealing district funds for home construction project
|
|
by Renee Batti
Almanac Staff
Photo
 | Tim Hanretty, the former superintendent of Portola Valley schools who is charged with stealing more than $100,000 from the school district, has been offered a plea bargain by the county District Attorney's Office.
He is expected to decide at a court hearing later this month whether to accept or reject the offer.
At a July 18 San Mateo County Superior Court review, prosecutors offered Mr. Hanretty a plea deal that includes the potential for state prison, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe told the Almanac after the hearing.
Mr. Hanretty's attorney, Michael Markowitz, requested time to discuss the plea offer with his client, and a July 31 date was set for 9 a.m., Mr. Wagstaffe said.
He declined to disclose further details of the plea offer.
If the offer is accepted, Judge Mark Forcum will decide whether Mr. Hanretty will serve time in prison, Mr. Wagstaffe said.
A likely consideration in sentencing will be Mr. Hanretty's ability to pay restitution to the district, Mr. Wagstaffe said, adding that, so far, there has been no restitution.
Mr. Hanretty pleaded not guilty on June 19 to six counts of embezzlement from the Portola Valley School District, charges involving the alleged stealing of nearly $101,000 to pay for a construction project at his Woodside home during his tenure as superintendent.
He had resigned from his post in January, after the DA's office launched an investigation into suspected misappropriation of funds stemming from his prior work as business official at the Woodside Elementary School District.
As a result of that investigation, he was charged in April with three felony counts of misappropriation of public funds. Both cases are being heard together in court.
Mr. Hanretty posted bail, and remains out of custody.
If he rejects the plea deal, Mr. Hanretty will be in court on Aug. 16 for a preliminary hearing on the charges, Mr. Wagstaffe said.
Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
|
|
| Comments
|
Posted by John, a resident of the Portola Valley: other neighborhood, on Jul 19, 2012 at 6:48 am Could Mr. Hanretty's pension be used to pay the restitution?
|
|
Posted by restitution?, a resident of the Menlo Park: The Willows neighborhood, on Jul 19, 2012 at 12:21 pm Doesn't he own a house? Put him in jail? Great that costs us! Take his money, make sure he never EVER gets a similar job. Done! That's a plea bargain. No, then put him some foreign prison that costs us a hell of lot less and take his citizenship away. Again. Done!
|
|
Posted by Susan Smith, a resident of the Woodside: Kings Mountain/Skyline neighborhood, on Jul 19, 2012 at 2:33 pm A sad day, for sure, but boy am I happy that the courts are in charge instead of the commenters on these threads. A little compassion people goes a long way in helping people turn a page, people. If we want better, we have to behave better. All of us.
|
|
Posted by Don't Get It, a resident of the Portola Valley: other neighborhood, on Jul 23, 2012 at 12:48 pm Not sure I get the logic on this - DA charges Mr Hanretty on (I think) nine felony counts, two school districts and communities are taken down, but if he repays what he stole (e.g. by fundraising among his remaining supporters) he might not spend ANY time in prison?
|
|
Posted by Peter Carpenter, a resident of the Atherton: Lindenwood neighborhood, on Jul 23, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Peter Carpenter is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online Don't EVER expect this DA to take a hard line on public officials who break the law - it is against the rules of his membership in the public officials' club.
|
|
|
| |
|
Send this story
Print this story
