Hawaiian Church Settles Qui Tam Action Charging It With Underpaying School System

AP reports that New Hope churches, one of the original defendants in a Hawaii qui tam whistle blower lawsuit, has agreed to settle for $775,000. However it will not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement.  As previously reported, in State of Hawaii ex rel. Kahle and Huber v. New Hope International Ministries, (HI Cir. Ct., filed 3/22/2013), relators claim that  churches submitted false records and statements to deprive Hawaii schools of $5.6 million in unpaid or underpaid rent and utility charges for weekend use of school buildings, parking lots and facilities. Under the settlement, $200,000 will go to the relators who are responsible for the suit being filed, with the remainder going to the school system.