UH regents seem neutered by 'culture of deference'

By Armand Alacbay

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 14, 2012

~~<p>The University of Hawaii expected to get Stevie Wonder. Instead, it became the victim of a scam — to the tune of $200,000, "signed, sealed, delivered" to an alleged fraudster now in federal custody.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, a local entertainment promoter approached UH officials about the possibility of booking the R&B star for a benefit concert for the university's athletic department. After UH wired a $200,000 deposit to the promoter's supposed booking agent — without doing any due diligence — the real agents for Stevie Wonder contacted the school officials and told them that they had, in fact, been talking to the wrong people.</p>
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The University of Hawaii expected to get Stevie Wonder. Instead, it became the victim of a scam — to the tune of $200,000, "signed, sealed, delivered" to an alleged fraudster now in federal custody.

Earlier this year, a local entertainment promoter approached UH officials about the possibility of booking the R&B star for a benefit concert for the university's athletic department. After UH wired a $200,000 deposit to the promoter's supposed booking agent — without doing any due diligence — the real agents for Stevie Wonder contacted the school officials and told them that they had, in fact, been talking to the wrong people. Login for more...