By Tribune-Herald staff
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Multiple criminal charges have been filed against Georgia Santos, 74, of Kailua-Kona in connection with alleged violations of state tax laws involving Kahealani Property Services LLC.

The charges were filed in Hawaii County by the Department of the Attorney General on March 25 in Third Circuit Court, according to the state Department of Taxation.

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Santos was arrested on Friday with the assistance of the Hawaii Police Department following an investigation into alleged failures to collect, account for and pay withholding taxes, as well as alleged failures to file required state tax returns.

Santos faces five felony counts related to tax years 2018 through 2022.

Each count carries a potential sentence of not more than five years imprisonment and/or probation, as well as a fine of not more than $100,000 per count for the individual and not more than $500,000 for a corporation.

Santos also was charged with 12 nonfelony counts of wilful failure to file a return, including general excise tax returns for tax years 2018 through 2023, and withholding tax returns for tax years 2018 through 2023.

Each count is a misdemeanor offense and carries a potential sentence of not more than one year imprisonment and/or probation, as well as a fine of not more than $25,000 per count for the individual and not more than $100,000 per count for a corporation.

“Ensuring that employers meet their tax obligations is essential to maintaining fairness for Hawaii taxpayers,” Director of Taxation Gary Suganuma said in a statement. “When individuals or businesses fail to file required returns or remit taxes that have been withheld, it undermines public trust. We appreciate the Attorney General’s partnership in pursuing this case and remind all taxpayers to stay current with their filings and payments.”