Hearing set for ex-OHA aide accused of wire fraud

HNN: … A hearing is set Friday for an Office of Hawaiian Affairs aide accused of wire fraud.

Agents with Homeland Security Investigations arrested Paul Harleman just before he attempted to flee the country.

Court documents said Harleman used his firm, Precision Accounting Hawaii, to defraud an Oahu landscaping business out more than $415,000.

Authorities said he did it by routing payroll payments into his own account.

Harleman allegedly told the landscaping business he spent the money on Bitcoin investments.

Federal officials arrested Harleman before a scheduled flight to the Netherlands last week.

Harleman formerly worked as an aide to Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Kelii Akina. OHA said his last day at the agency was April 19….

read …Hearing set for OHA aide accused of wire fraud

PDF: Indictment

LINK: www.precisionaccountinghi.com 

BREG: Precision Accounting Hawaii  

BREG: PACIFIC MEDIA GROUP LLC DBA PACIFIC RIM MEDIA

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Unfortunate News

Message to Supporters, April 29, 2021

This is a very difficult letter to write, because it involves someone who, until recently, was a member of my staff at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

He was arrested on April 23rd on charges related to a private accounting business he operated.

Like many of you, I learned of this situation from the news:  LINK

This is an unfortunate matter, and I feel that to be accountable, I must keep my supporters informed of it.

Here is the statement I released to the media:

For Immediate Release 4.29.2021 -- "I was surprised and dismayed to learn of the arrest of Paul Harleman, a former member of my OHA staff. To be clear, the allegations have nothing to do with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. During Mr. Harleman’s employment, he had no access to the finances of OHA, nor to my Trustee allowance funds," Trustee Akina said. “I look forward to the findings of the court in this matter.”

If you have any questions or concerns, I welcome them.

While we do not know the outcome of this situation, I am committed to ensuring the highest standard of ethics in government service.

E hana kākou! (Let’s work together!)

Keliʻi Akina, Ph.D.

Trustee-at-Large, Office of Hawaiian Affairs

DISCLAIMER:  This is a campaign message from me in my private capacity and does not represent nor use resources of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.