LIHU‘E — A 5th Circuit grand jury on Wednesday indicted a county department head on charges relating to the alleged abuse of a county gas credit card, according to a county news release issued Thursday. County Human Resources Manager Janine
LIHU‘E — A 5th Circuit grand jury on Wednesday indicted a county department head on charges relating to the alleged abuse of a county gas credit card, according to a county news release issued Thursday.
County Human Resources Manager Janine M.Z. Rapozo is facing 23 charges, which stemmed from an audit on county fuel use that was concluded earlier this year.
The 23-count indictment alleges that on or between February 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010, Rapozo committed the offenses of one count of second degree theft and 22 counts of falsifying business records by aiding Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. in the theft of gasoline in an amount exceeding $300 but less than $20,000 and falsifying business records relating to the purchases, according to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.
A warrant was issued for Rapozo’s arrest and bail was set at $500.
“We’ve just been made aware of the Grand Jury’s act to return an indictment,” stated County Communications Director Beth Tokioka Thursday.
County Managing Director Gary Heu said in a news release that Rapozo will remain on the job as her case makes the course through the criminal justice system.
“We wish to make it clear that (Rapozo) will continue to carry out her duties regardless of this action, as we’ve seen no evidence of wrongdoing,” Heu said. “We have observed 18 years of exemplary service from Janine on behalf of the county and the people of Kaua‘i, and we will support her 100 percent in this matter.”
County Auditor Ernesto Pasion released an interim report on fuel use in April. Its recommendations were approved by all department heads.
The report noted inaccurate fuel transaction data and inventory tracking procedures that resulted in loss of full accountability for fuel use. Employees were entering incorrect ID numbers to track and charge fuel use to the appropriate departments.
The report noted there were accountability issues with fuel usage and billing inconsistencies and inefficiencies. It also recommended better controls to detect fuel charge card use at commercial stations.
The report also noted irregularities that presented possible fraud, theft or abuse. Some observations remained under investigation by an outside agency as potential criminal activity.
“Upon the completion of our extended audit procedure, my office submitted confidential reports directed for those charged with governance, as required by government auditing standards,” Pasion said. “From there, the governance referred the matters to law enforcement for further investigation.”
The county uses more than $1.4 million in gasoline and diesel fuel for operations each year. The report said there were not adequate monitoring guards against waste and unauthorized use.
Fuel tracking malfunctions meant approximately 14,361 gallons of diesel fuel went unaccounted for at various pump sites in 2010, according to the report.
The report recommended the county fully implement fuel control features and resolve fleet management accountability issues. It also recommended regular physical fuel inventories to reconcile with pump-flow readings.
According to the OPA, the law firm of McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon conducted the independent investigation into the gas audit. Attorneys David Minkin and Paul Wong were the assigned attorneys.
Independent Investigator Kenny Chang was also involved in conducting the investigation, according to OPA. Chang is a former officer with the Honolulu Police Department with 20 years service. He is currently president and CEO of Kiamalu Consulting and Investigations Agency.
Rapozo has served the County of Kaua‘i as a Human Resources Manager II for the Department of Personnel Services since July. Her duties include managing the Employee Development and Health Services Division for the Department of Personnel Services.
Rapozo is responsible for the oversight and management of programs and policies relating to countywide training, health and safety awareness, injury prevention, employee development and workers’ compensation claims. She advises the county on technical matters related to workers’ compensation compliance.
Rapozo has worked for the county since 1994. She has previously served as a Risk Management Administrator for the Department of Finance; Executive on Transportation; and Transportation Specialist.
She is a 2007 Leadership Kaua‘i graduate and was the board treasurer of Kamehameha Schools Association of Kaua‘i until two years ago.
• Tom LaVenture, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or tlaventure@thegardenisland.com.
The printed version of this story indicated Janine Rapozo is the board treasurer of Kamehameha Schools Association of Kaua‘i. In fact, she served in that position until two years ago.
