HONOLULU – Wilfred Tamayo Savella, a former Maui County Environmental Management official, is facing federal charges after allegedly shaking down a Honolulu businessman for over $40,000 in bribes. The feds unsealed an information document detailing a scheme where Savella traded his influence for cold, hard cash, lavish perks, and even a gambling junket to Las Vegas.
According to the indictment, between 2013 and 2017, Savella used his position to ensure Milton Choy’s company landed lucrative, no-bid contracts with Maui County’s Department of Environmental Management (DEM). Savella didn’t just passively allow these contracts; he actively initiated them, pushed them through the system, and served as the primary point of contact – all in exchange for a steady stream of kickbacks.
The bribes weren’t limited to simple cash handoffs. Savella allegedly accepted direct bank deposits, free trips to Sin City, and even casino chips to fuel his gambling habit. The total value of the benefits received exceeded $40,000, a significant sum for allegedly betraying the public trust. This wasn’t a one-time thing, but a sustained pattern of corruption, according to federal prosecutors.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Milton Choy has already pleaded guilty to bribing another Maui County official, Stewart Stant, who was also involved in awarding these questionable sole-source contracts. Both Choy and Stant are awaiting sentencing, and the feds are sending a clear message: corrupting Hawaii’s government will have consequences.
The FBI has been investigating this case, highlighting their commitment to rooting out corruption at all levels of Hawaii’s government. The agency’s involvement signals a wider crackdown on public officials who abuse their power for personal gain. If convicted, Savella faces up to ten years in federal prison and a potential fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ken Sorenson and Micah Smith are prosecuting the case. While Savella is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the evidence presented suggests a deliberate and calculated scheme to enrich himself at the expense of Maui County taxpayers. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and expose the rot within Hawaii’s political landscape.
RELATED: Former Maui County Environmental Management Official Charged with Accepting Bribes
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