(AP) — A U.S. judge is sentencing a Hawaiʻi man to 46 months in prison for embezzling more than $500,000 in taxpayer money he and his wife spent on a lavish lifestyle. Hanalei Aipoalani pleaded guilty to embezzling from the AmeriCorps program and agreeing to take a bribe to administer grants for Honolulu’s coronavirus aid program. Sentencing is postponed for his wife Angelita Aipoalani, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to embezzle from AmeriCorps. Prosecutors say the program brings volunteers who receive stipends to work in vulnerable and marginalized communities. Hanalei Aipoalani’s court-appointed attorney says he has been shamed in the community.

© copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved

AP Photo