Ex-Officer Who Posed as Hit Man Goes Free

A former Santa Monica police officer walked out of court Friday a free man after being sentenced to probation for masquerading as a hit man in order to pocket a $7,500 fee for the proposed killing.

Kenneth Maurice Scott was sentenced to three years’ probation and credited with time served after pleading no contest to one count each of unauthorized computer access and receiving stolen property.

Scott had been arrested in February 2000 and charged with six criminal counts.

“Any civilian who had the same charges would probably get the same deal,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Elizabeth Munisoglu. “I think [the sentence] was adequate and appropriate.”

Scott accepted money from Sheila Holden Hamilton to kill a man from whom Hamilton had embezzled thousands of dollars, Munisoglu said.

Hamilton was an employee at City National Bank who used her knowledge of the bank’s system to steal money. When one victim discovered the theft, she planned to get rid of him, Munisoglu said.

Scott’s girlfriend introduced him to Hamilton and the deal was set. Hamilton gave Scott the $7,500, which he pocketed and never carried out the killing, Munisoglu said.

“All he did was steal, and he stole from a thief,” she said. “I do not believe the evidence would [prove] he actually intended to hurt or kill anybody. I believe the evidence would have shown he intended to defraud.”

Hamilton earlier pleaded no contest to an embezzlement charge and is awaiting sentencing.