37-year-old Megan Van Allsburg was formally sentenced today in Maui District Court for embezzling millions while she worked as the director of sales at the trendy Aloha Shores condominiums. Van Allsburg stood accused of a number of fraud related crimes including: selling units in a non-existent expansion of the property, and over selling timeshares, all to fund what prosecutors have called an obsession with weekly Newuskin treatments. After listening to a lengthy, and at times rambling statement from Van Allsburg, Judge Vincent Kalama upheld a plea agreement, sentencing her to 36-months in jail. In addition, Megan must pay back all the money she misappropriated. Prosecutors say they hope this finally brings to an end what has been one of the most unusual cases ever heard on the island.
You only have to look at how packed Front Street is on a Saturday afternoon to see how popular Lahaina has become over the past decade. While it was never considered a “hidden jewel,” there’s no doubt that the area has gained a lot of attention recently, and Lahaina is booming. Businesses are scrambling to establish a presence in the old capital of the Hawaiian kingdom, and homes are selling at all-time highs. It was this hunger for Lahaina living that allowed Van Allsburg to operate so brazenly according to officials.
Megan used her contacts, and personal relationships with tenants to convince many to sign fraudulent lease increases, but she didn’t stop there. Over the course of three years she: oversold timeshare space, convinced investors to put money into a fictitious expansion of the property, and even sold units inside the bogus building, all to pay for regular Newuskin treatments.
The story of the conceited crook made headlines on the mainland, and dominated the Maui news cycle. Van Allsburg’s sentencing was no less dramatic this morning, as the verbose criminal read a 15 page, often rambling, statement before Judge Kalama, and those in attendance. The statement reads in part:
“Despite what everyone may think, I share something in common with the people I defrauded, I love Lahaina with all my heart. But sometimes you do stupid things when you’re in love, as this case and my actions demonstrate……I resent the way I’m being portrayed as some sort of haughty snob worried about looking perfect. That’s not who I am. You see, I come from Dutch and Irish descent and have naturally very pale skin. My Newuskin treatments weren’t about looking pretty, they were about being able to go outside without fear of burning….
Most people can’t understand what it’s like having to slather coats of lotion on your body, having to feel like a cupcake covered in sunscreen frosting whenever you go out. I didn’t know there was any other way of life until I got a certificate for a free Newuskin treatment as a bonus one year. The whole thing took less than an hour. My freckles were gone, I had a nice tan for the first time in my life, and I could walk out in the sun for hours without worrying about burning to a crisp. I realized then that I had been trapped by my own skin for too many years.
Can you imagine what it was like to live in paradise, but not be able to go out during the day and enjoy it? I was finally free to truly enjoy this beautiful place. I was free of floppy hats, umbrellas, and staying in the shade. I could walk on the beach during the middle of the day in a flattering swimsuit, and not long sleeves with a scarf to protect my neck. I didn’t have to worry about getting lotion on my blouse or hair ever again. Fair skin may be great for princesses in old stories, but I was living my own fairy tale, playing in the sun without worry for the first time in my life…..I apologize for what I did, but not how I feel. Unless you’re a ginger trying to live on the islands you can’t really understand.”
Aloha Shores spokesperson Frank Lacey says they are looking forward to closing this ugly chapter in the community’s history. He points out that while management had signed off on a few of the fraudulent agreements, the investigation clearly showed that Megan acted alone. He says that the business is doing everything it can to accommodate those damaged by Van Allsburg’s actions and help address the medical issues of their obviously troubled ex-employee. “We’ve implemented new procedures to ensure nothing like this happens again. Our hearts go out to everyone who had their Aloha Shores dreams crushed in this case. However, we have an exciting new opportunity inspired by these unfortunate events for everyone involved,” he says. “We are pleased that the State has allowed us to help Megan continue her Newuskin treatments in prison, as they now have become a medical necessity. While we don’t condone her actions, there’s no doubt that her ideas surrounding this fake expansion were terrific. We only wish she had come to us instead of embarking on this criminal enterprise on her own. The prospectus materials and plans she put together were so great that we felt they needed to become a reality. That’s why we are officially announcing that we will be expanding Aloha Shores. We’re offering those duped out of their money, first crack at becoming part of our Aloha family, for real this time. Given recent events, we understand why some may be hesitant, but with all the media coverage you can rest assured that this isn’t all one big scam like it was before. Call or email for details and availability.”
