A former executive with David S. De Luz Sr. Enterprises Inc. has filed a lawsuit that claims the company misrepresented its finances in tax filings, and claims Hawaii Beef Producers LLC, a company owned by the De Luz family of companies, "was dumping animal carcasses into the river and ocean."

The suit, by former chief financial officer Victor Trevino, is the latest action in a dispute that began last year, when De Luz and his companies, Big Island Toyota Inc. and David S. De Luz Sr. Enterprises Inc., sued Trevino and three other former employees or contractors for the companies.

Among other things, that suit alleged Trevino paid himself an unauthorized bonus and took inside information with him when he resigned last October.

A statement released Wednesday by David S. De Luz Sr. Enterprises Inc. said the lawsuit by the De Luz companies "is now making its way through the legal system, and we are confident" that its merits will be proven and appropriate action taken.

James Bickerton, Trevino's lawyer, has said his client was entitled to the bonus under his employment contract, and said Trevino resigned "because he was asked to do something that he thought was wrong."