A 41-year-old Waipahu woman pleaded guilty in state court this morning to stealing $68,870 from Pearl Ridge Elementary School, where she worked as a special administrative assistant to the principal.

Denise Hayashi pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree theft and 98 counts of second-degree forgery. She will not serve prison time if she abides by the terms of her plea agreement.

The state says she has paid back the money she stole.

The state says Hayashi stole the money by forging checks on Pearl Ridge Elementary’s local school account over a two-year period beginning in June 2008.

As part of her plea deal with the state, Hayashi agreed to accept a sentence of five years’ probation, 1,500 hours of community service, a $10,000 fine and assessment of $10,695 in court costs and fees when a state judge sentences her in August. She has also agreed to write a letter of apology which will be posted at the school.
The state fired her in September 2010.

If Hayashi fails to perform the community service at a rate of 25 hours per month or pay her fines and fees at a rate of $450 per month, she could be sent to jail for a year.

Hayashi did not speak in court today.

Hayashi is the second former elementary school secretary prosecuted for stealing money parents raised for the school’s local account, which is meant to pay for student activities.

Janel Echiberi pleaded guilty last October to stealing $15,909 from Lehua Elementary School in Pearl City.