Former Hawaiʻi County Council member and Nā Leo TV executive Stacy Higa pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to embezzlement and bribery charges.
Higa admitted to embezzling more than $38,000 in federal funding from the national service program AmeriCorps by authorizing contracts and signing purchase orders to himself.
He spent those funds on personal expenses, including approximately $20,000 worth of elective aesthetic dental care.
Higa also admitted to bribing a Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) program administrator in Honolulu with financial benefits in exchange for approval of his grant applications totaling $845,000.
Both charges carry maximums of 10 years in prison and financial penalties. Higa’s sentencing is scheduled for January 13, 2022.
