Ex-director admits to theft of $153,643 from nonprofit

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.

Keawe is also charged with two more counts of embezzling: one for stealing $5,992 from the organization in fiscal year 2012 and the other for stealing $19,586 in fiscal year 2014.

Tong told U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry M. Kurren that Keawe was able to steal the money because he had a debit card and was authorized to sign checks on the organization’s bank account.

He said Keawe used the debit card to make cash withdrawals and purchases for his own use. Keawe also wrote checks to reimburse himself for personal expenses and for paychecks, even though he was receiving a salary, Tong said.

Keawe faces a maximum 10-year prison term at sentencing in October.