UPDATE: Mayor Billy Kenoi Indicted by Grand Jury

Mayor Billy Kenoi. County of Hawai’i file photo.

***Updated at 2:52 p.m. to include additional information and a statement from Attorney General Douglas Chin.***

Hawai’i County Mayor Billy Kenoi was charged with eight counts by a grand jury on Wednesday.

The charges were alleged from incidents involving the mayor’s county issued purchasing card between 2011 and 2015.

Kenoi was charged with two counts of felony theft in the second degree, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine; two counts of misdemeanor theft, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine; three counts of tampering with a government record, misdemeanors that are punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine; and one count of false swearing, a petty misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

An indictment is a “probable cause” finding and is not a criminal conviction.

“The Department of the Attorney General sought this indictment after an intensive investigation that lasted almost a year,” said Attorney General Doug Chin. “I thank the investigator and prosecutor for their efforts.”

A bench warrant was issued for Kenoi following the indictment.

Kenoi remains innocent until he is found guilty of the charges.

***Original story at 2:09 p.m.*** 

Hawai’i County Mayor Billy Kenoi was indicted by a grand jury Wednesday following an investigation into his alleged misuse of his county issued purchasing card, known as the “pCard.”

Kenoi used the card to purchase items that have been disputed as not being used for work-related expenses.

Last year news broke that the mayor used his card in 2013 at a hostess bar on Oahu, as well at a restaurant and lounge on Oahu in 2009, racking up over $1,300 in expenses

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