Waikiki man accused of government theft
A 66-year-old Waikiki man who allegedly swindled government programs ranging from welfare to student tuition assistance of a total of more than $200,000 was arrested Thursday, FBI agents in Honolulu announced.
Vaughn G. Sherwood is being held on suspicion of theft of government property and being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to an FBI news release. The investigation included the FBI and state Department of Human Services.
Sherwood allegedly received benefits under stolen identities and his own identity while failing to disclose significant assets to program administrators. He allegedly received welfare cash, Section 8 housing, food stamps and federal student tuition assistance tallying more than $200,000.
FBI agents executing a search warrant of Sherwood’s Waikiki condo Thursday recovered two rifles and four handguns that Sherwood was not permitted to possess.
The maximum penalties for the theft charge and firearms offense is 10 years in prison for each crime. Sherwood will be held at the Federal Detention Center in advance of a hearing Tuesday.
PTSA president charged with theft
The former president of the Parent, Student, Teacher Association at Lanikai Elementary Charter School has been charged with theft of $50,574 from association funds.
A two-count complaint was filed in Circuit Court charging Tonya Taylor, 43, with first-degree theft and money laundering, Attorney General David Louie said in a news release Wednesday afternoon.
Arraignment and plea is set for Nov. 4 before Circuit Judge Richard Perkins.
Ceremony today at tech center to honor Inouye
LIHUE » Kauai Community College will hold a blessing and dedication today for a building renamed for the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye.
Inouye’s widow, Irene Hirano Inouye, and son, Ken, are both due to attend the ceremony for the Daniel K. Inouye Technology Center.
The 18,000-square-foot building is home to the Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory and a photonics lab with laser and optics.
Kauai Community College’s Hawaiian-studies students and instructor Pualiiliimaikalani Rossi will pay tribute to the senator with oli and hula.
Kin of woman killed in crash file lawsuit
HILO » The family of a Naalehu woman killed in a Kau car crash is suing the estate of the deceased driver of the other car.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports the lawsuit was filed Oct. 9 on behalf of Trinidad Ballesteros’ children and others.
Ballesteros was driving a pickup Jan. 23 near mile 54 on Highway 11. It was struck head-on by a sedan driven by 73-year-old Donald Ingoglia, a Sacramento, Calif., lawyer.
The truck caught fire. Ballesteros and passenger Richard Taylor of Naalehu died at the scene. The crash also killed Ingoglia and his son and grandson.
Ingoglia suffered a heart attack before the car crossed the centerline. The suit claims Ingoglia drove too fast and was negligent.
The lawsuit names the trustee of the Ingoglia family trust and Ingoglia’s estate executor as defendants.
