Countywide : Surgery Delays Ely’s Sentence

Convicted embezzler James T. (Tom) Ely’s one-year jail sentence was delayed Friday for at least 90 days because the former community college district trustee must undergo radical surgery for cancer.

Ventura County Superior Court Judge Lawrence Storch said he will review the matter July 10, almost a year to the day after Ely and his wife, Ingrid, were convicted of stealing $15,000 from the Ventura County Community College District by padding expense accounts.

In an operation sometime later this month, Ely’s surgeon expects to remove the former trustee’s right eye, right eye socket, the right half of his nose, right upper jaw, the right half of his upper lip and entire right cheek, according to a probation report filed Wednesday.

Dr. Thomas Calcaterra, the chief head and neck surgeon at UCLA Medical Center, told county probation officers that he did not believe Ely would be well enough to begin serving his sentence for at least one year after the operation.

Ingrid Ely’s sentence, which includes 500 hours of community service, was also delayed Friday so she can assist her husband.