Press Release
U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District of Hawaii
PJKK Federal Building (808) 541-2850
300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 6-100 FAX (808) 541-2958
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850
For Immediate Release
Contact: Elliot Enoki
April 4, 2008
OAHU MAN INDICTED FOR USING FALSE
STATEMENTS TO OBTAIN WORKER'S COMPENSATION
HONOLULU, HAWAII - Oahu resident KAWENA TAVARES, age 51, appeared yesterday before federal Magistrate Judge Barry M. Kurren for initial appearance and arraignment on an Indictment charging three counts of making false statements to obtain worker’s compensation benefits available under the Longshore & Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act (“LHWCA”), in violation of 33 U.S.C. § 931(a). After a brief hearing, a trial date was set for June 3, 2008, and TAVARES was released on an appearance bond.
Edward H. Kubo, Jr., United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii, said that according to the Indictment, the defendant made false statements about his physical condition, as well as his ability to perform routine physical tasks, at a civil deposition proceeding related to his claim(s) for benefits under the LHWCA. Federal authorities received the case as a result of a private investigation concerning TAVARES’ physical condition.
If convicted, TAVARES faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of $250,000 as to each of the three counts. The charges contained in the Indictment are mere accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Indictment is the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Department of Labor Inspector General’s Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Lou Bracco.
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