Posted on: Friday, August 17, 2001

Former state worker pleads guilty to theft

By David Waite
Advertiser Staff Writer

A former employee of the state Department of Accounting and General Services pleaded guilty in Circuit Court yesterday to charges of first-degree theft, money laundering and illegal ownership of a business.

Prosecutors said the case stems from Fidel Eviota II's defrauding the state out of nearly $760,000 on several major construction projects from August 1995 to June 1999.

Eviota , 52, an engineer who oversaw repairs to Aloha Stadium and the State Capitol as well as other projects, was accused of padding the repair costs by getting contractors to bill the state for work that was not done and for materials that were never provided. Payments were made to at least three subcontractors, including a body repair shop, Eviota's father-in-law and a friend — none of whom works for actual construction companies.

Under the terms of an agreement with the state attorney general's office, Eviota has agreed to repay the state $759,617 and cooperate with an investigation. He faces a 10-year prison term and is to be sentenced Oct. 24.