Executive Sentenced to Prison on Theft Conviction

(Phoenix, Ariz. – September 27, 2005) Terry Joseph Hommel was sentenced Monday to seven and a half years following his conviction of fraud and theft. Hommel, 31, of Gilbert, worked for Heliocol Arizona, Inc., a Phoenix-based company where he was accused of stealing more than $2 million over five years.

Hommel served as Chief Financial Officer for Heliocol, a solar pool heating company with branch offices in Tucson, Yuma and Lake Havasu City. As the Chief Financial Officer, Hommel received payment checks from customers and deposited them into his personal account or to an account he created called “Hallilcal.”

Hommel was sentenced by Judge James Keppel in Maricopa County Superior Court. In addition to the prison term, Keppel sentenced Hommel to seven years probation when he is released from prison. Criminal Litigation Chief Counsel Ted Campagnolo prosecuted this case.