Sentencing moved to Feb. 23 for Pasco embezzler

Sentencing for Michael A. Goins, who embezzled from the Downtown Pasco Development Authority, has been delayed one month because the state Auditor’s Office has not completed its own investigation.

On Tuesday, Deputy Prosecutor Dave Corkrum said they don’t want to sentence Goins until that report is done. Sentencing was continued to Feb. 23.

Goins, 36, was executive director of the downtown organization when he took at least $90,000 over a two-year period.

He has pleaded guilty to first-degree theft with aggravating factors that the loss was much greater than is typical, the money was taken during several incidents and he used his position of trust to steal.

Goins is facing a recommended sentence of one year in prison, well above the maximum three-month jail term for first-time thieves. That agreement hinges on the state report not coming back with a restitution amount above $150,000.

He is in jail on $100,000 bail.

This story was originally published January 26, 2016 at 6:25 PM with the headline "Sentencing moved to Feb. 23 for Pasco embezzler."