Hawaii businessman sentenced after using COVID relief funds to buy cars, homes
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A Hilo businessman has been sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison for defrauding COVID-19 relief programs, officials said.
Prosecutors said 47-year-old Carey Mills stole nearly $1 million in COVID relief funds.
He then used the money to buy eight cars and two homes.
According to court documents, Mills falsified documents to get loans and grants for three businesses — the Kanaka Maoli Hookupu Center, New Way Horizon Travel, and Uilani Kawailehua Foundation.
As a result of the applications, prosecutors said Mills received three PPP loans and one EIDL grant.
Mills pleaded guilty in May. He also has to pay back the money he received from the relief programs.
In addition to his sentence, the court imposed a five-year term of supervised release.
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