HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Two attorneys and a businessman have been found guilty in an affordable housing scam on Hawaii Island.
Following a three-week trial, a federal jury found lawyers Paul Sulla Jr., 78, and Gary Charles Zamber, 55, along with businessman Rajesh Budhabhatti, 65, guilty of fraud and money laundering.
Evidence presented at trial showed that the three men paid almost $2 million in bribes to former Hawaii County Housing Specialist Alan Rudo, to ensure that the county approved three affordable housing agreements (AHAs).
The AHA approvals benefitted the defendants’ development companies Luna Loa Developments, LLC, West View Developments, LLC and Plumeria at Waikoloa, LLC. Despite receiving approval from the county and promising to build affordable housing, the developmen