The Maui County Council unanimously approved a bill on first reading to add a full-time investigator to the Prosecuting Attorney’s office focused on contractor fraud stemming from the 2023 Lahaina wildfires. The position will be funded through existing department cost savings, with no new budget allocation required.
- The Council voted 8-0 to approve Bill 147, which adds one investigator position to the Prosecuting Attorney’s office dedicated solely to Lahaina wildfire contractor fraud cases.
- The Prosecuting Attorney’s office opened its own contractor fraud investigation in May 2025 after initial tips were referred to Maui Police Department proved too slow-moving.
- Cases involve reviewing voluminous financial records obtained via search warrants and subpoenas, and determining whether misconduct rises to criminal or civil level.
- Two former assistant U.S. attorneys with white-collar crime experience have been hired to support the effort, with one starting November 6.
- The new Investigator III position carries a salary range of $61,284–$87,336 per year and will be filled through the civil service hiring process after final bill approval.
Source: Maui Now
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