Honolulu building planner pleads guilty in bribery case

HONOLULU — A building planner in the Honolulu planning department pleaded guilty Monday to an indictment accusing him and others of taking bribes in exchange for expediting the approval of building permit applications.

Jason Dadez pleaded guilty to honest services wire fraud, according to the U.S. attorney’s office in Honolulu.

Dadez is on leave with pay from the city’s Department of Planning and Permitting.

An indictment last year accused him and four other current and former employees of the department of taking thousands of dollars in bribes from architects, contractors and others in exchange for expediting or approving projects.

Also indicted was architect William Wong, who was accused of paying bribes. He pleaded guilty last year. Former building plans examiner Kanani Padeken also pleaded guilty last year and was fired by the city.

Former building plans examiner Jennie Javonillo pleaded guilty last month.

Jocelyn Godoy, an employee in the department’s data access and imagining branch, remains on leave with pay. She has pleaded not guilty.

Wayne Inouye, a former building plans examiner, was retired when he was indicted. He has also pleaded not guilty.

Catherine Gutierrez, Dadez’s court-appointed attorney, declined to comment. It was not immediately clear how his guilty plea will change his employment status.

“We will review any updates to his plea status and address it accordingly,” said a statement from the department. “However, because this is a personnel matter, we have no other details to share at this time.”