Brandon Hinman will have to pay back the money he took from an account set up for his late wife, Jenna Hinman or go to prison. After pleading guilty to grand larceny and possession of a forged instrument charges, a judge ordered Hinman to make restitution and go through a substance abuse evaluation.

Lawyer for both sides talked with the press after Hinman's guilty plea, including Syracuse.com. District Attorney Christopher Valdina says Hinman wrote $44,000 worth of checks, forging Jenna's father's signature. "Two were to a woman in Watertown he owed money to and another was to a bar. That's not why people donated this money when they heard Jenna's story."

"If he doesn't do everything the judge told him to do, we're probably going to recommend prison under those circumstances."

Jenna Hinman went through a courageous two month battle with a rare pregnancy related cancer. Donations poured in for Hinman after she gave birth to her twin daughters, Azlynn and Kinleigh who were born premature in March.

Hinman must pay the money back to the trust fund for his daughters "which is were it belongs," Valdina says. He also has to undergo a substance abuse evaluation and "get any treatment he needs. I'm not optimistic it's going to work out. He wasn't even in court on time."

Hinman showed up late, saying he had a flat tire.

Valdina says if Hinman does what he's been ordered to do by the judge, they'll recommend up to 6 months in jail. "If he doesn't pay back the money. If he doesn't show up for sentencing. If he doesn't address substance abuse issues, if he doesn't do everything the judge told him to do, we're probably going to recommend prison under those circumstances."

Sentencing will be held June 18th. Each charge carries a sentence of up to 7 years in prison.

Hinman's lawyer, Rome Canzano says Hinman wants to move forward. "He wants to get this matter behind him, accept responsibility, make amends for what happened and take care of his children."


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