Former Hawaiʻi Department of Education (DOE) complex area business manager Karie Luana Klein was arrested after being charged by the Department of the Attorney General’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division (SIPD) with three felony theft counts.

On February 16, 2023 Klein was charged for allegedly falsifying DOE mileage and parking forms and using DOE purchase orders and a “P-Card” to steal more than $7,000 from the DOE.  Each count of felony theft is punishable by up to five years in prison.

In 2022, the Hawaiʻi Legislature appropriated substantial funds for the creation of SIPD, which has a dual mandate of combatting public corruption and human trafficking in the State of Hawaiʻi.

Klein’s arraignment is set for today at the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit, Hilo Division.

SIPD Deputy Attorney General Thomas J. Michener is prosecuting the case.

Klein is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.