MPD veteran charged in federal bribery case
Commander of Criminal Intelligence Unit allegedly shared confidential information with drug dealers, cockfighting organizers
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A Maui Police Department lieutenant who most recently commanded the department’s Criminal Intelligence Unit has been charged in federal court on allegations he accepted bribes to protect illegal chicken fighting operations and drug traffickers.
According to a criminal complaint announced Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii, 53-year-old Michael Vaitu’ulala used his position with the Maui Police Department over a period of years to accept regular cash payments from organizers of illegal chicken fights in exchange for ensuring the department did not enforce animal fighting laws against them.
Federal prosecutors allege Vaitu’ulala met with organizers to discuss logistics and conditions for holding the fights, approved locations and determined the days when fights could take place.
The complaint further alleges Vaitu’ulala shared confidential law enforcement information with people involved in drug trafficking in exchange for cash payments.
Prosecutors said the information included the identities of confidential sources, evidence photos, the existence of a sealed federal wiretap, the existence of a sealed arrest warrant and details about ongoing federal investigations.
The attorney's office said one of people who aided Vaitu’ulala said the lieutenant 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 Hawaii.
"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," U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson said in a statement.
"But on those occasions when one of them elects to betray their commitment to Hawaii 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.
Vaitu'ulala is charged with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release.
In a statement, the Maui Police Department said Vaitu’ulala, a nearly 18-year veteran of the department, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the federal proceedings. His department-issued credentials and firearm have also been removed.
"We recognize that allegations involving law enforcement personnel can erode public confidence," the department said. "Maintaining the trust of our community requires accountability, appropriate transparency, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law."
The department said it is fully cooperating with federal investigators and declined further comment because the case remains under investigation.
The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeannette Graviss and Michael Nammar are prosecuting the case.