Coffee distributor
indicted in tax case
He faces 10 counts alleging
Star-Bulletin
conspiracy to give false information
and filing false returnsA federal grand jury has indicted the president of a wholesale coffee, vending and cigarette business on tax and conspiracy charges.
Michael H. Boulware of Hawaiian Isles Enterprises, best known for its Hawaiian Isles Kona Coffee, yesterday was charged with 10 counts, including filing false tax returns with the IRS, conspiring to give false information to a financial institution, giving false information to a federally insured financial corporation, and criminal forfeiture.
Boulware could not be reached for comment.
His attorney, Dennis O'Connor, declined to comment until he has seen the indictment.
Specifically, the indictment charges that Boulware under-reported his income from 1989 to 1992 by about $5.4 million.
The tax charges carry a maximum penalty of three years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and costs of prosecuting each tax charge.
He also is charged with knowingly making false statements involving two lease agreements dated March 10 and March 27, 1992.
Making the false statements each carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
The conspiracy charge carries a maximum five years' imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
While Hawaiian Isles Enterprises is considered a major player in the vending business, the charges were filed against Boulware as an individual, not the corporation.
U.S. Attorney Steve Alm declined to say whether the investigation will result in other indictments.
