Corruption? Here on the Big Island? Say it ain't so.

[ChunksterK]

A former county official is facing Federal corruption charges relating to affordable housing initiatives Kona side.  Here's an article that is probably behind a paywall by now:

https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/202...it-scheme/

From the article:

"A former employee of the county Office of Housing and Community Development is set to enter a plea Monday in federal court on charges he took almost $2 million in bribes and kickbacks to influence affordable housing projects in West Hawaii.

Alan Scott Rudo, a housing community development specialist from 2006 to 2018, is set to appear before Magistrate Judge Rom Trader in Honolulu for initial appearance, waiver of indictment, arraignment and plea to the felony information provided by federal prosecutors, according to court records."

Why is it that these things are always uncovered by the Feds?  If I didn't know better, I'd say our local and state prosecutors have no interest in cleaning up corruption.  Of course they don't, and this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

[AaronM]

The entire State would benefit from a few years of Federal Oversight. Although, I'm not sure if we have enough room in our jails...

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

not sure if we have enough room in our jails...

I’d settle for big, fat, heavy, gps ankle tracking.  

[Ccat]

not sure if we have enough room in our jails...

I’d settle for big, fat, heavy, gps ankle tracking.  

And fines equal to several times what they stole!

Ccat

[Durian Fiend]

I hope he will be spending some time in the more affordable housing option known as lock up.

[ChunksterK]

Alan Rudo, the accused in this case, pleaded guilty yesterday. The Star-Advertiser article mentions "co-conspirators" and the fact that Rudo is cooperating with investigators. It will be interesting to see who paid all that money and if they face up to 20 years like Rudo. Here's the article, but it may be behind the paywall:

https://www.staradvertiser.com/2022/07/2...ng-scheme/

[ChunksterK]

Three more persons have been indicted in the affordable housing corruption case. Here's a link:

https://www.staradvertiser.com/2022/07/2...ud-scheme/

In case it's behind the paywall by the time you see this, excerpts follow:

"Paul Joseph Sulla Jr., 76, and Gary Charles Zamber, 53, were each charged with six counts of honest services wire fraud and conspiracy. Sulla is also charged with money laundering, allegedly laundering the proceeds of the conspiracy to hide the source, location and ownership of the proceeds."

"The scheme involved Alan Scott Rudo, 55, a housing specialist for the Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development, and Rajesh Budhabhatti, 62, a private businessman, who is expected to plead guilty Aug. 1. Rudo pleaded guilty July 18."