Maui police lieutenant charged with allegedly taking bribes to protect chicken fighting and drug operations

Michael Vaituʻulala, 53, a lieutenant with the Maui Police Department, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, according to an announcement today from the United States Attorney Ken Sorenson.

According to the criminal complaint, Vaituʻulala used his position as a lieutenant in the Maui Police Department for personal gain over many years. Vaituʻulala accepted regular cash payments from individuals organizing illegal chicken fights in exchange for using his official position to ensure that MPD did not enforce animal fighting laws against those individuals, according to the department.

Vaituʻulala and others met with organizers of the chicken fights to discuss logistics and conditions for holding the fights, with Vaituʻulala providing his approval for the organizers to open a chicken fighting location and the days on which fights could take place, according to the complaint.

“Vaituʻulala also protected individuals engaged in drug trafficking and improperly shared confidential law enforcement information with them in exchange for cash payments. The information he shared included the identities of confidential sources, evidence photos, the existence of a sealed federal wiretap, the existence of a sealed arrest warrant, and details regarding the subjects and targets of ongoing federal investigations,” according to the department, which cited information contained in the complaint.

“According to one cooperator, Vaituulala aspired to become the ‘Larry Mehau’ of Maui – a reference to a former Big Island police officer long alleged to have served as the godfather of organized crime in Hawaiʻi,” the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaiʻi reports.

Lt. Vaituʻulala is scheduled to appear in federal court this morning in connection with the ongoing criminal proceedings against him.

If convicted, Vaituʻulala faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, plus a term of supervised release.

The charge in the criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. In the case of conviction, any sentence would be imposed by a United States District Judge based on the statutory sentencing factors and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

The Maui Police Department issued a news release this morning in response to the developments saying: “Allegations of criminal conduct against a member of our department directly challenge the very standards that our dedicated men and women have sworn to uphold each day. If proven true, such actions represent a betrayal of the oath sworn by every member of this department and undermine the dedication, sacrifice, and commitment demonstrated each day by the men and women of the Maui Police Department who faithfully uphold that oath.”

The police department reports that Vaitu’ulala, who is a nearly 18-year veteran of the Maui Police Department an most recently served as the Commander of the Criminal Intelligence Unit, has been placed on administrative leave. Consistent with department policy, his department-issued credentials and firearm have been removed, pending the outcome of the federal proceedings, according to police.

“We recognize that allegations involving law enforcement personnel can erode public confidence. Maintaining the trust of our community requires accountability, appropriate transparency, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. When allegations involve one of our employees, we have a responsibility to address those matters promptly, fairly, and in accordance with the law and established procedures.  Our commitment is to ensure that every matter is handled with integrity and respect for the rights of all individuals involved,” police said.

A police spokesperson said the Maui Police Department is fully cooperating with federal law enforcement partners throughout this investigation. “Because this remains an active criminal matter, we are unable to provide further comment at this time,” police said.

Earlier this year, in April, Hawaiʻi News Now reported that Vaituʻulala was suspended in connection with a New Year’s fireworks incident that resulted in thousands of dollars in damage to a Puʻumakani Street home in Kahului. 

Vaitu’ulala joined the department in 2008, where he began his career as a Police Officer I in the Wailuku Patrol District. Throughout his 14 years of service, his assignments have included Molokaʻi Patrol District, Wailuku District Community Policing, and the Criminal Intelligence Unit.

In 2019, he was promoted to Sergeant and served in the Communications Section, Lahaina Patrol District, Specialized Emergency Enforcement Detail, and as a Detective in the Criminal Investigation Division. He also served as the Acting Lieutenant Commander of the Criminal Intelligence Unit beginning in 2021 before his promotion to Lieutenant in 2022. 

Maui Police Department spokesperson Alana Pico said additional information will be forthcoming after details are released by federal authorities.

“It is deeply troubling that a long-tenured and trusted law enforcement officer who swore to serve the people of Maui County faces these allegations, which involve a complete betrayal of his oath of service. Hawaiʻi’s law enforcement officers are critical to the safety and security of our local communities, and nearly always perform with honesty, integrity and valor,” said US Attorney Ken Sorenson. “But on those occasions when one of them elects to betray their commitment to Hawaiʻi and violate the law, or protect the very criminals they are charged to investigate, we will vigorously pursue and prosecute them to the fullest extent permissible under the law.” Sorenson added, “We acknowledge and thank the leadership of the Maui Police Department for its assistance and cooperation with federal enforcement operations this week.”

“As law enforcement officers, we all swear an oath to protect and serve our communities,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter. “The overwhelming majority of law enforcement works honorably every day to meet that responsibility. But when an officer violates that oath—breaching the trust contract with their community—they betray the very people they were entrusted to serve and the brave men and women in law enforcement who put their lives on the line each day. This investigation reflects the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protect the public and uphold the integrity of law enforcement, and we will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure that those who misuse their positions of authority are held fully accountable under the law. Additionally, we appreciate the leadership of the Maui Police Department for its cooperation and assistance with our enforcement operations this week, and we value our shared commitment to protecting the community and upholding the highest standards of law enforcement.”

The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from the US Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General and the US Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant US Attorneys Jeannette Graviss and Michael Nammar are prosecuting the case.