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The former executive director of Hawaii Centers for Independent Living admitted in federal court Friday to stealing more than $150,000 from the now-defunct nonprofit organization.
Mitchell J.W. Keawe Jr., 60, pleaded guilty to embezzling $153,643 between Oct. 1, 2012, and Sept. 30, 2013, from the organization that had served disabled clients on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Hawaii island and Guam since 1981.
“Due to the theft and mismanagement of Mr. Keawe, the charity is now out of business,” said FBI Special Agent Tom Simon.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence Tong said the $153,643 Keawe stole represents roughly 16 percent of the money the Centers for Independent Living had received from the U.S. Department of Education in fiscal year 2013.
