Auto parts shops fined for tax failures

Two men who ran auto parts businesses were convicted last month of failing to file general excise tax returns, and their companies were ordered to pay more than $350,000 in restitution to the state plus fines, the state Department of Taxation said in news releases.

Damien Ferreira, who was president of WMR Inc. and was supposed to file returns for Wicked Machine Racing LLC, entered a no-contest plea on behalf of himself and his companies. The state said WMR did not file excise tax returns for 2003 through 2005 and that Wicked Machine Racing LLC did not file its 2006 return.

WMR was ordered to pay $74,737 in restitution and a $9,000 fine. Wicked Machine Racing and Ferreira were ordered to pay $4,811 in restitution, and the company was fined $3,000. District Judge Clyde Sumia sentenced Ferreira on Sept. 30 to one year's probation, fined him $8,000 and ordered him to complete 200 hours of community service.

On Sept. 2 District Judge Clarence Pacarro ordered David A. Silva and his companies Revolution Motorsports LLC and 808 Motoring LLC to pay $272,589.92 in restitution for failing to file general excise tax returns between 2002 and 2006, the Tax Department said. Silva must also perform 200 hours of community service.

Doctor allegedly traded drugs for sex

LIHUE » State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs officials say a doctor violated medical ethics standards after investigators concluded he traded drug prescriptions in exchange for sex.

The department's administrative hearings officer, Craig H. Uyehara, is recommending that Dr. Harold “;Tex”; Spear III have his medical license revoked.

In another case, Spear is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 26 on federal charges of prescribing narcotic medicines without establishing a face-to-face, doctor-patient relationship.

State investigators say Spear prescribed drugs to one woman in exchange for sex and continued to write prescriptions for another patient after he became sexually involved with her. Spear has denied trading prescriptions for sex. He says he continued to treat a patient after becoming involved with her because it would have been unethical not to.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Garden Isle shows off its produce

A new weekend farmers' market opened Saturday at Kauai Community College.

The Kauai Community Market is a partnership between the college and the Kauai County Farm Bureau.

The Lihue market is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays in the campus' front parking lot across from Grove Farm.

It features locally grown food products, prepared food and agricultural and culinary demonstrations, events and information from Kauai agriculture nonprofits and school programs.

The Kauai market is based on the successful Saturday market at Kapiolani Community College.