Maui Mayor orders audit of all no-bid contracts linked to businessman Milton Choy

Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino released a statement today following federal corruption charges involving former Maui Department of Environmental Management Director Stewart Stant and Honolulu businessman Milton Choy.

In a video taped address, Mayor Victorino said he ordered an audit of all no-bid contracts awarded to Choy’s companies both current and past.

To clarify confusion arising from the federal felony charges, Mayor Victorino said, “Allow me to be crystal clear. The events that led to corruption charges involving former Maui County official Stewart Stant and Honolulu businessman Milton Choy occurred during the previous administration.”

He continued saying, “I strongly condemn public corruption in all forms. I am committing my administration to fully cooperate with law enforcement investigators.”

Mayor Victorino said Hawaiʻi’s procurement laws ensure fair and transparent handling of government purchases. “Whenever corruption undermines the public trust, those responsible must be investigated, prosecuted, and punished to the fullest extent of the law. I cannot, and I will not, tolerate such betrayals of public trust,” he said.

A criminal Information document unsealed on Thursday alleges that between October 2012 and December 2018, Stant accepted bribes from Choy comprised of cash, bank deposits, casino chips, travel benefits, and/or other gifts, totaling up to $2,000,000, in exchange for Stant’s agreement, in his official capacity as a Maui County official at DEM, to steer and award over $19 million dollars in sole source contracts and purchase orders to Choy’s company, H2O Processes, LLC. 

Choy is the same individual identified as “Person A” in the bribery case involving former Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English and former State Representative Ty Cullen. 

Full details are posted here.