Doctor’s helper admits
that she stole $500,000

A former office manager for a Honolulu eye doctor has admitted to stealing about $500,000 from her employer during a seven-year period.

Sandy Nagamine, 43, of Wahiawa, who worked for Dr. Gary Edwards for 20 years at his Lusitana Street office, pleaded guilty yesterday under a plea agreement to first-degree theft, one forgery count, computer fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors in exchange have agreed to drop 20 additional forgery charges. She faces a maximum 10 years in prison on the theft, computer fraud and money laundering convictions when sentenced Nov. 1.

Nagamine was entrusted with running the office, collecting payments and paying the doctor's bills but used the doctor's money for personal use, said Deputy Prosecutor Randal Lee.

Investigators found she took about $300,000 in checks and $200,000 cash during the seven-year period, which she apparently used to take trips and pay off her credit cards, Lee said.

The doctor, who was prepared to sell his Honolulu office because he was losing money and did not know why, said he had trusted Nagamine like family and never suspected she would do this to him, Lee said.

It was only after a friend of the doctor looked into the accounting sheets and tried to locate a $33 cash payment that was collected but never deposited did the fraud begin unraveling, Lee said.

Under the agreement, Nagamine cannot defer her guilty plea, which would enable her to erase the conviction from her record.

Nagamine's attorney, Sam King Jr., could not be reached for comment.