Posted on: Thursday, October 25, 2001

Former official gets 10 years for bilking state

Advertiser Staff

A former state engineer who oversaw repair projects at the state Capitol and Aloha Stadium was sentenced yesterday to a maximum 10 years in prison for bilking the state out of nearly $760,000 by having friends or relatives submit repair bills for work that was never done.

Circuit Judge Richard Perkins also ordered Fidel Eviota II to repay the state $759,617, Attorney General Earl Anzai said. Most of the money fraudulently obtained by Eviota was used to buy land and build five homes in 'Aiea and Ma'ili, prosecutors said. He has agreed to forfeit all of the properties to the state.

Eviota received 10-year sentences for one count each of first-degree theft, money laundering and unlawful ownership or operation of a business. The prison terms will run concurrently. He pleaded guilty to the charges in August.

Eviota, 52, 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 worked for actual construction companies.