The Cost of Crime is Always a Burden that Crushes Any Benefits



    Contrary to the popular saying, crime never pays.  The activities it requires of those who choose that lifestyle may promise rich rewards, but will only result in real pain and destruction, from which recovery is very difficult.  Let's consider the recent example of a Northern California man who made that decision and the consequences he is facing.

    Steven Jay Carlton was the Executive Director of the Peninsula Symphony Association, which is based in Los Altos.  During his time in this position, he filed false tax returns from 2010-2012 to underreport his earnings and hide money he embezzled from the organization.  These actions led to at least $220,000 being stolen.  Carlton resigned his position in 2013 when the missing funds were noticed.  One year later he pleaded "No Contest"  to six Felonies including Grand Theft (1), Identity Theft (1), Embezzlement (1), and Forgery (3).  In December 2014, he was convicted of 2 Felonies related to those false tax returns.

    Mr. Carlton is facing at least 9 years in State prison.  Instead of enjoying the benefits of his stolen money, he now owes $34,000.  This is the total of his unpaid taxes, fines, interest, and cost of the investigation that has put him in state custody.  Was the possible brief enjoyment of what Mr. Carlton took for himself worth what has been and will be taken from him?  What do you think?

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