Top Trustee Indicted at Big Hawaii Charity

The chairman of the wealthiest charity in Hawaii was indicted last week on charges that he received $115,800 in an alleged kickback scheme involving property owned by the charity.

Richard S. H. Wong, a trustee of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate, faces charges of theft, conspiracy, and perjury.

Hawaii Attorney General Margery S. Bronster alleges that Mr. Wong’s brother-in-law, real-estate developer Jeffrey Stone, received a “sweetheart deal” when he and his partners acquired part of the charity’s interest in a condominium complex for $21.9-million in 1995.

In return, the state alleges, the developer paid inflated prices for condominium units owned by Mr. Wong and by Henry Peters, another trustee of the Bishop Estate.

Mr. Peters was indicted last November on theft charges stemming from the case.

Both trustees have denied the allegations, which they say are politically motivated. Mr. Wong is a former state Senate president; Mr. Peter was once speaker of the state House of Representatives.

In separate legal action, a probate judge is now considering a request by the Attorney General to remove at least four of the five Bishop Estate trustees from office, on grounds that they mismanaged the charity and benefited personally at its expense.