The sentencing of one of two women named as defendants in the 1998 embezzlement of $1.7 million from the Little Switzerland stores has been postponed for what judicial sources said Friday were "technical reasons."
Lydia Magras who also goes by her married name, Lydia Magras-Greaux, was to appear before Territorial Court Judge Ishmael Meyers at 9:30 a.m. Friday for sentencing but the proceeding was "continued without a set date" at the last minute. Another judicial source said the sentencing could take place in a month, although little explanation was available Friday about the continuance.
Magras, who is being represented by attorney Treston Moore, entered a no-contest plea May 27 to charges that she compounded the crime of embezzlement. In a 'nolo contendere' plea, the defendant does not admit to guilt but does not challenge the charges either.
A sentencing date has not been set for the other defendant in the case, Lorraine Quetel, who entered a plea bargain arrangement with the Justice Department.
Government prosecutors alleged that Quetel used her position at Little Switzerland to embezzle $1.7 million from the company and that Magras-Greaux compounded the crime by allowing the funds to be deposited into accounts of Bon Voyage Travel to which she had access as an officer of the now-defunct travel agency.
Assistant Attorney General Douglas Sprotte is expected to represent the government whenever the two women are sentenced.
