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A property manager on the Big Island is facing tax and theft charges after an investigation by state and county officials.
County Prosecutor Mitchell D. Roth said that a grand jury indicted Shellie A. Grace, a former real estate broker, and her company Elite Property Management Services, LLC on Oct. 19 with multiple charges of tax evasion and theft over a five-year period between 2010 to 2015.
Grace, 40, is charged with one count of first-degree theft, five counts of failure to file returns for tax years 2010 to 2014, and one count of failure to collect and pay over tax.
Her Kailua-Kona company is charged with five counts of failure to file returns and one count of failure to collect and pay taxes.
The indictment alleges that Grace, also known as Shellie A. Fujihara, collected money, but failed to make payments and pay taxes for several clients.
In a Tuesday news release, Roth said the theft charge is a class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. Failure to file a return is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $25,000. Failure to collect and pay taxes is a class C felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
The investigation of Grace began in 2014 after complaints by rental property owners about the business practices of Grace and her company. Hawaii County police turned the investigation over to state tax agents, resulting in the indictment.
The company has an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau for failing to respond to complaints and failure to have a competency license.
The phone number for Elite Property Management Services in Kailua-Kona is disconnected.
Throw the book at her, make her an example!
For a crime like this, maybe 5yrs if we are lucky