Kauai County Employee Indicted After Audit Into Fuel Consumption Documented Abuse

Are county officials on the island of Kauai misusing their gas cards and overcharging the county taxpayers?

A Kauai Grand Jury believes so, at least in the case of the County’s Human Resources Manager Janine Rapozo.

Rapozo, the former county transportation manager who is married to County Parks Director Lenny Rapozo, was indicted on charges of theft and falsifying government records yesterday.

The investigation into Rapozo and other county employees was initiated after a county audit showed unusual milage reports from county officials.

More indictments from the current administration could be forthcoming, sources have told Hawaii Reporter.

Kauai County Managing Director Gary Heu said today: “We have learned of the grand jury indictment against Human Resources Manager Janine Rapozo on charges relating to the County’s gas audit. We wish to make it clear that she will continue to carry out her duties regardless of this action, as we’ve seen no evidence of wrongdoing. 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.”

The auditor reports that Kauai County’s employees consume $1.4 million worth of fuel per year, with most acquired and dispensed through four fueling stations managed by the county’s Department of Public Works.

The audit had four major findings including:

Inaccurate fuel data and inventory tracking procedures result in significant loss of ability to fully account for fuel usage;

Accountability for fuel usage is hampered by employees entering incorrect identification numbers into the system;

Accountability for fuel usage is hampered by billing inefficiencies and inconsistencies;

Improvements are needed in controls designed to monitor and detect unauthorized usages as the Kauai Police Department.

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