Countywide : Ely’s Poor Health Delays Sentence

Convicted embezzler James T. (Tom) Ely, who is suffering from cancer in his face, received a fifth delay in serving his one-year jail sentence Friday because of his health.

Ventura County Superior Court Judge Lawrence Storch agreed to postpone the sentence for the former County Community College District trustee for at least another six months while Ely undergoes treatment for the disease.

Ely is scheduled for a radical surgery Aug. 17 to have the right half of his nose, right upper jaw, the right half of his upper lip and entire right cheek removed, said his attorney, James M. Farley.

Ely was convicted with his wife, Ingrid, last June of bilking $15,000 from the district by padding expenses.

In addition to jail time, Ely was also sentenced to pay $14,415 in restitution and to serve six years probation. Ingrid Ely was ordered to do 500 hours of community service, pay about $2,500 restitution and remain on probation for five years.

Storch also agreed to stay Ingrid Ely’s sentence. The two were ordered to return to court Jan. 8.