KAILUA-KONA — A real estate agent who appeared on a national television show, and her husband, will enter pleas this week to allegations of welfare fraud.
Jene Nichole Green and Charles N. Green III, also known as Trey Green, of Ocean View, turned themselves into police Wednesday and subsequently posted $2,000 bail each. They’re set to make an initial appearance before Circuit Court Judge Melvin H. Fujino Friday where they will each will enter their plea to a single count of first-degree theft.
Hawaii County prosecutors filed the case on Sept. 17. A declaration by a state Department of Human Services investigator supporting the charges stated Jene Green wrongfully obtained SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits totaling $27,241 between January 2016 and April of this year by not accurately reporting her true income as a real estate agent.
The state began investigating Green, who appeared on HGTV’s “Hawaii Life,” after an eligibility worker noticed discrepancies in the reported income for the Green household, according to the declaration. The eligibility worker had “Googled” Jene Green and came across her listings with Hawaii Life Real Estate.
The investigator said Jene Green reported making just $3,000-$4,000 between Jan. 1, 2015, and April of this year. However, subpoenaed earnings from her employer indicate she was paid $360,158.03 in commissions during that time.
Jene Green holds a real estate license good through December 2020, according to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
The department said Wednesday its Professional and Vocational Licensing Division normally refers allegations like those made against Jene Green to the Regulated Industries Complaints Office for investigation. The office is the division within the department that investigates and initiates disciplinary action against licensees.
“RICO reviews these matters on a case-by-case basis and must have evidence that a licensee has violated a licensing law to begin disciplinary action. A conviction that is related to the practice of the licensee’s profession is usually a basis to pursue disciplinary action against that licensee,” Jessica Chillingworth, an education specialist with the DCCA, said via email. “At this time, RICO has initiated a case involving Jene N. Green and is investigating the matter. No further information can be provided.”
Hawaii Life is a reality show aired by HGTV. The show featuring home buyers looking to make their island dreams come true has filmed 13 seasons since first airing in 2013. It’s unclear if the network has canceled or picked up a 14th season of the show. The allegations against the Greens are unrelated to the business or its operations other than Jene Green was a Realtor salesperson.
