It was an interesting story about the lady who stole $23,710 from the Department of Land and Natural Resources over a two-year period (The Maui News, Aug. 23). Now that she has been caught, she gets 66 years to pay it back with no penalty or interest. She will be 106 when she makes her last payment if she doesn't skip any payments.
Where is the deterrent?
If she shoplifted, the payback penalty is three times the amount taken, but not if you steal from your employer.
Then there was a story of two women who stole more than $1,000 from the Division of Motor Vehicles & Licensing on Molokai (The Maui News, Aug. 25). I'm sure at sentencing they will also get a slap on the wrist and a very lenient payback plan with no interest or penalty.
Better than borrowing from the bank. This will send a message to all of the employees out there: Treat your employer like a piggy bank, the justice system doesn't care about them.
Rodney Pedersen
Lahaina
