Bank of Hawaii delays closure
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (AP) — Bank of Hawaii is indefinitely delaying a plan to close its branches in American Samoa after a plea from the territory’s governor to bank executives.
Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga said he met Monday with Bank of Hawaii CEO Peter Ho in Honolulu to ask for the second delay. The bank originally announced last year they would close its two branches, leaving the territory with only one bank and none chartered in the United States.
A business group has been trying to set up a community bank to help the territory transition.
Moliga said the latest delay will help the new bank finish setting up.
Ho said in a statement that the company wants a smooth transition for the territory’s government and won’t leave until its deposits can be accommodated.
School bans toy used in gambling
HONOLULU (AP) — An Oahu high school has banned students from possessing a popular toy.
Kendamas will be seized if taken to Campbell High School because they’re being used for gambling.
The traditional Japanese wooden toy is a ball connected by a string to a base with cups.
A statement from Campbell High says the toys are considered contraband and a parent would be required to pick up confiscated kendamas from school personnel.
Sentencing in $800K scheme
HONOLULU (AP) — A 50-year-old Ewa Beach woman convicted of operating an $800,000 Ponzi scheme has been sentenced in federal court to nearly four years in prison.
Suzette M. Anguay pleaded guilty to mail fraud in August.
She was sentenced Monday to three years and 10 months in prison.
U.S. District Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi also ordered Anguay to pay back $510,178 to 11 couples or individuals.
Federal prosecutors say from 2007 to 2010 she collected more than $800,000 from victims who delivered or mailed her money.
She promised returns of 15 to 30 percent through a real estate investment company, Money $en$e.
Prosecutors said Anguay used investors’ money to pay her own expenses. Money from new victims paid early “investors.”
