Big Island bank teller indicted on embezzlement-related charges

A Hawaiʻi County Grand Jury indicted Alohi Kaupu-Grace for using her position as a bank teller to reportedly embezzle more than $40,000 from the financial accounts of bank customers, including two elderly customers.

The indictment was issued Dec. 1, and the 24-year-old’s arraignment is scheduled for today at 1:30 p.m.

Kaupu-Grace is charged with three counts of first-degree computer fraud, three counts of first-degree theft, second-degree computer fraud and second-degree theft. She is also currently pending trial in two other cases involving thefts in Hawai‘i County.

“As alleged, Kaupu-Grace stole money from residents who were simply trying to conduct financial transactions at their bank. This indictment reflects the department’s continued commitment to protecting Hawaiʻi residents and maintaining the integrity of our financial institutions,” said Attorney General Anne Lopez.

Lopez went on to state that special agents and prosecutors work daily to go after individuals who abuse positions of trust.

“We remain steadfast in our mission to safeguard the public from corruption and financial exploitation,” she added.

Computer Fraud in the First Degree is a class A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. Theft in the First Degree and Computer Fraud in the Second Degree are class B felonies punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Theft in the Second Degree is a class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The investigation was conducted by the Department of the Attorney General’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division, the state’s primary law enforcement unit responsible for investigating and prosecuting corruption, fraud and economic crimes.