Four government employees—Henry Sablan Hofschneider, Larissa Sablan Flores, Teresita Borja Camacho and Eloida Dela Cruz Macaranas—are facing charges of misconduct in public office following an investigation by the Office of the Public Auditor.
At a recent arraignment in Superior Court, Hofschneider and Macaranas pleaded not guilty through their attorneys. Flores had previously entered a not guilty plea. Camacho, who is off-island, has yet to enter a plea.
Attorney Robert Torres, who represents Macaranas, stated that his client was simply performing routine payroll duties and not engaging in corruption. "There's the presumption of innocence, and this is not a criminal case in the sense of traditional criminal conduct," Torres said. "We absolutely challenge the charges on behalf of my client, Mrs. Macaranas, an employee of over 47 years for the Department of Finance, and we will review the charges."
Hofschneider and Flores, who are now employed by the governor’s office, are accused of misappropriating nearly $98,400 from a Mayor's Office account for personal use.
Camacho, a former budget officer, is also accused of taking more than $38,000 from the same office and failing to report the misappropriation of funds. Macaranas, a payroll manager, is charged with processing these unauthorized payments.
