TAX NEWS - January 2009

Hawaii Tax: Former Honolulu police Officer Sentenced for State Tax Crimes

Former Honolulu police officer William B. Gasper, Jr. was sentenced today on two counts of Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax and two counts of Wilful Failure to File Tax Return relating to the tax years 2003 and 2004.

The Honorable Steven S. Alm placed Gaspar on probation for a period of five years and ordered him to serve thirty days in jail and pay a fine of $500.

Attempt to Evade or Defeat Tax is a class C felony. Wilful Failure to File Return is a misdemeanor.

Gasper attempted to evade paying state taxes by falsely claiming to be exempt from paying state taxes on his Form HW-4 (Employee's Withholding Allowance and Status Certificate), and failed to timely file his individual state income tax returns and pay his state income taxes.

The prosecution of Gasper is the result of a joint effort between the Department of the Attorney General and the Department of Taxation.

For more information, contact:

Mark K. Miyahira
Deputy Attorney General

Criminal Justice Division
(808) 586-1160
hawaiiag@hawaii.gov