Hilo man gets seven years for federal fraud
Justin Wade Smith, 32, formerly of Hilo, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison Monday for engaging in an “advance fee” fraud scheme that netted him more than $1.2 million, and failing to file income tax returns.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Hawaii, Smith earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud. Smith told people he would inherit money from a sizable family trust, once he paid certain fees and costs, and he was a contractor for a law enforcement agency, and could generate large fees through drug seizures.
In court proceedings, Smith admitted asking people to “advance” money to him, and promising to repay the amounts with substantial interest once he obtained money from the family trust or law enforcement agency. Smith admitted he was not an heir to a large trust, or a law enforcement contractor, and that he used the money received from others to support his lifestyle, the attorney’s office said in a press release.
According to the court documents, Smith ran his scheme from 2006 through 2012 in Hawaii and elsewhere, and obtained more than $1.2 million in cash, Western Union or Moneygram wire transfers, and the “loading” of a prepaid debit card belonging to Smith. He admitted to receiving about $234,000 from his wire fraud scheme, and to failing to report a total income of more than $1 million between 2007 and 2012.
Man sues over faulty septic system
HONOLULU — A Big Island man is forging ahead with a lawsuit claiming a defective septic system on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property is making him sick.
Leonard Low sued the department last year, alleging that sewage odors backed up into his Waimea home because of a substandard seepage pit that holds raw sewage. The department said it offered to fix the problem but Low refused.
Hawaii News Now reported Sunday Low said he turned it down because it would have required waiving medical claims and not discussing the issue with his neighbors.
Low said he suffers from nausea, headaches and dizziness.
Other residents in the 37-home subdivision have also complained about noxious odors.
The state Department of Health recently cited the pit for being too small for the home.
Police arrest 30 for DUI
Police arrested 30 motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant March 3 through Sunday.
Seven of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes. One was younger than of 21.
Kona police arrested 14 motorists, South Hilo officers nabbed six, while Puna officers arrested seven and South Kohala cited four drivers.
So far this year, police have made 254 DUI arrests compared, with 234 during the same period last year, an 8.5 percent increase. There have been 316 major accidents so far this year compared with 256 during the same period last year, an 23.4 percent increase. There have been three traffic fatalities on Hawaii Island this year compared with nine during the same period last year, a 66.7 percent drop. One fatality was related to drugs and one to a combination of drugs and alcohol.
DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue islandwide.
Autopsy: Fuddy was ‘markedly afraid’ after plane crash
HONOLULU — Details in the autopsy report of Hawaii’s former health director who died after a plane’s ocean landing reveal how traumatic the ordeal was for her.
The autopsy report obtained by The Associated Press on Monday said Loretta Fuddy was “markedly afraid” while waiting for help to arrive after the small plane crashed off Molokai on Dec. 11.
The report said 65-year-old Fuddy was a “rudimentary swimmer” who never swam in the ocean.
Maui police have said her death was the result of an irregular heartbeat triggered by stress. The autopsy said the acute cardiac arrhythmia was due to hyperventilation.
The pilot and seven other passengers on the Makani Kai Air flight survived without major injuries.
Maui County cited privacy laws for redacting significant portions of the report.
Suu Kyi foundation based in Hawaii
HONOLULU — Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi’s new foundation for health care and education in Myanmar will be based in Hawaii.
The Suu Foundation’s immediate goal is to restore the University of Yangon and Yangon General Hospital. It will also focus on helping people living with HIV and AIDS.
Asia-Pacific Center for Strategic Studies Associate Professor Miemie Winn Byrd told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser the seeds for the foundation were planted during Suu Kyi’s visit to Hawaii last year.
That’s when Suu Kyi met Hawaii’s Burmese community and urged them to help Myanmar as it modernizes.
Myanmar-born Byrd is the foundation’s chairwoman. She immigrated to the United States as a child.
Suu Kyi announced the formation of the foundation during a speech in Yangon over the weekend.
Am. Samoa passes first anti-human trafficking law
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa — Legislators in American Samoa have approved the territory’s first anti-human trafficking law after several unsuccessful attempts over more than a decade.
Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga, who initially proposed the bill, is expected to review it when he returns to the territory from Honolulu by the end of this week.
The bill makes human trafficking illegal under penalty of five to 10 years in prison, with a mandatory 10 years if the trafficking involves a minor, Deputy Attorney Gernal Mitzie Jessop said. She said prosecutors previously had to depend on other statutes to prosecute cases where there is clear evidence of human trafficking.
The bill also mandates a human trafficking task force to collect data on human trafficking and recommend policies and procedures.
The territorial Senate approved the measure last week. It passed the House late last year.
The bill would become law in 60 days if the governor signs it.
Ceremony to unveil Arizona Memorial postage stamp
PEARL HARBOR — The USS Arizona Memorial will be commemorated in the form of a U.S. postage stamp.
The National Park Service said the priority mail express stamp will be unveiled on Thursday.
The ceremony at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center will include government and military speakers. Those who attend will have an opportunity to purchase the stamps, along with related merchandise at the Pacific Historic Parks bookstore.
Daily, more than 4,000 people visit the USS Arizona Memorial, which sits atop the sunken battleship.
By local and wire sources