Mayor Billy Kenoi was indicted today following an investigation into misuse of his county purchasing card.
Mayor Billy Kenoi was indicted today following an investigation into misuse of his county purchasing card.
The charges are: two counts of second-degree theft; two counts of third-degree theft; three counts of tampering with a government record; and false swearing.
Following the indictment, Hilo Circuit Court Judge Glenn Hara issued a bench warrant for the mayor’s arrest. He will be released on his own recognizance.
“The Department of the Attorney General sought this indictment after an intensive investigation that lasted almost a year” said Attorney General Doug Chin in a press release. “I thank the investigators and prosecutors for their efforts.”
Kenoi couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.
A grand jury indicted the mayor after hearing testimony from witnesses, including former Finance Director Nancy Crawford and Managing Director Randy Kurohara, who previously was the pCard coordinator for the Mayor’s Office.