Businessman Gets Probation for Theft from NFL

HONOLULU (AP) - A Honolulu businessman who was charged with defrauding the National Football League of more than 500-thousand-dollars has been placed on five years probation.

Sports and business promoter Manuel Sanchez also was fined $25,000 and ordered to perform 250 hours of community service.

He was granted a deferred acceptance of plea, which means the felony theft charge will be dismissed if he pays the fine, performs the community service and abides by conditions similar to probation for five years.

The 54-year-old Sanchez earlier pleaded no contest to the charge.

He said he never intended to defraud or steal the NFL's money.

The NFL sued the former chief executive officer with Tickets Plus in 2003, alleging it was owed 474-thousand-dollars in Pro Bowl tickets sold by the company and a 100-thousand-dollar event sponsorship fee for the 2003 game.

Sanchez has paid the NFL 557-thousand-dollars since he was charged.