Hawaii Embezzlement Charges & Penalties

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Embezzlement in Hawaii, as in other states in the US, is a type of property theft. It occurs when a defendant, who was entrusted to manage the money or property of another person or entity, steals some or all of those assets for their personal gain. The key legal aspect in this type of case is that the defendant had legal access to the money or property of another person or entity but did not have legal ownership of the property.

Embezzlement can happen in many ways. A bank teller who has access to client cash could take the money for personal gain. An officer of a company might embezzle funds belonging to the firm. Another example is a family member stealing the money of a family member they are caring for.

Embezzlement is a white-collar crime that usually carries harsh penalties in Hawaii. Embezzlement often involves funds or assets being misappropriated, and it is not always clear if the accused had legal access to the funds. This can lead to improper allegations being made due to simple mistakes or miscommunication.

Four Factors Required for a Hawaii Embezzlement Conviction

For an embezzlement conviction in Hawaii, four elements must be present:

  1. Fiduciary Relationship: There has to be a financial relationship between you and the victim; this is known as a fiduciary relationship. This means that the victim relied upon you and trusted you to handle funds or property. Typical fiduciary relationships where embezzlement occurs include bankers and clients, stockbrokers and clients, or employees providing accounting services to a company.
  2. Transfer of Property: You must have obtained the property through this fiduciary relationship and transferred the funds to yourself or a third party. It is not enough that you had access to the funds. You must have used this access to take the property for your own use and purposes.
  3. Intentional Actions: You must have taken intentional actions. If you made a mistake in transferring funds to yourself that belong to your company, and you can prove it was a mistake, this likely does not constitute embezzlement.
  4. Unauthorized Use: The use of the property must be unauthorized and for personal gain. Simply having access to or handling the property is not enough; there must be evidence of unauthorized use for personal benefit.

Hawaii Laws and Penalties

In Hawaii, embezzlement is punished based on the value of the property stolen. It can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the value of the funds stolen. Higher amounts will be prosecuted as felonies.

  1. First-Degree Theft (Class B Felony): A defendant in Hawaii who embezzles property or money valued at $20,000 or more will be charged with a first-degree theft. Penalties include up to 10 years in prison and substantial fines.
  2. Second-Degree Theft (Class C Felony): You will be charged with a second-degree theft if the property is valued at $750 or more but less than $20,000. Penalties include up to five years in prison and significant fines.
  3. Third-Degree Theft (Misdemeanor): You will be charged with a misdemeanor if the property is valued at less than $750. Punishments include up to one year in jail and fines.

Hawaii law also includes enhanced penalties for embezzlement involving vulnerable victims, such as the elderly or disabled, as well as public funds or assets.

Hawaii Embezzlement Penalties

As in most states, an embezzlement conviction in Hawaii leads to fines and imprisonment. The severity of the punishment depends on the value of the money or property stolen. Generally, the higher the value, the harsher the penalty.

Additionally, embezzlement involving government funds or property can result in more severe penalties. For instance, embezzlement of public funds can lead to enhanced sentencing, reflecting the state’s commitment to protecting public resources.

Embezzlement Defenses

Embezzlement charges in Hawaii are serious, but there are several effective defenses you can use to fight them. Below are some common and effective embezzlement defenses:

  1. Lack of Intent: Proving that you did not intend to embezzle the funds can be a strong defense. If you can show that the transfer of funds was a mistake or done for legitimate reasons, this may lead to a dismissal of charges.
  2. Insufficient Evidence: If there is not enough evidence to prove embezzlement beyond a reasonable doubt, this can be a very strong defense. Your attorney will attempt to show reasonable doubt regarding various aspects of the charges.
  3. Ownership Claim: Demonstrating that you believed you were the rightful owner of the funds or property can be a defense. If you can prove that you had a legitimate claim to the money, the charges might be dropped.
  4. Duress: If you were forced to take the money due to threats or harm to yourself or a loved one, you might be able to show that you acted under duress. However, this defense is complex and must prove that the threats were direct and immediate.
  5. Entrapment: If you were induced by law enforcement to commit the crime that you otherwise would not have committed, entrapment can be used as a defense.

An effective defense attorney can use these defenses in various ways, such as showing bank statements that indicate no link between business debits and personal accounts or demonstrating that other individuals had access to the funds in question. If the defense can create enough doubt regarding your responsibility for the missing funds, it may be impossible to convict you.

If the attorney cannot get the case dismissed, they may be able to negotiate a plea bargain for a reduced sentence. The attorney may convince the judge that you will pay restitution for any missing funds, which could result in avoiding jail time and incurring additional fines. Occasionally, charges may be dropped if restitution is paid.

Statute of Limitations on Hawaii Embezzlement

Embezzlement victims in Hawaii have a specific timeframe to file a civil claim. Generally, the statute of limitations for embezzlement is three years from when the crime occurred. However, the Discovery Rule in Hawaii allows for the filing of a suit up to six years from the date the crime was discovered, if it was not discovered immediately. If the crime is a felony, the statute of limitations is five years.

Recent Hawaii Embezzlement Cases

Honolulu Business Owner Sentenced for Embezzling $1.2 Million

A business owner in Honolulu was sentenced to seven years in prison for embezzling $1.2 million from his company. The funds were used for personal expenses, including luxury vacations and high-end purchases.

Hawaii State Employee Arrested for Embezzling Public Funds

A state employee was arrested for embezzling $500,000 from public funds. The embezzlement was discovered during an audit, leading to charges and a potential lengthy prison sentence.

Nonprofit Executive Director Charged with Embezzlement

The executive director of a nonprofit organization in Maui was charged with embezzling $300,000 in donations. The funds were allegedly used for personal gain, including paying off personal debts.

Top Cities in Hawaii for Embezzlement Charges

  • Honolulu
  • Hilo
  • Kailua
  • Kaneohe
  • Waipahu
  • Pearl City
  • Ewa Beach
  • Kahului
  • Mililani
  • Kihei
  • Kapolei
  • Wahiawa
  • Lihue
  • Wailuku
  • Aiea
  • Makakilo
  • Nanakuli
  • Lahaina
  • Waianae
  • Kalaoa

References

  1. 2017 Hawaii Statutes. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/
  2. Hawaii Embezzlement Laws. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://statelaws.findlaw.com/hawaii-law/hawaii-embezzlement-laws.html

This article provides a comprehensive overview of Hawaii’s embezzlement laws, the penalties for violations, common defenses, and recent cases, highlighting the state’s rigorous approach to curbing financial misconduct and maintaining public trust.