Ikeda says he will appeal Lihu’e barber Harry Ikeda was found guilty Tuesday of two counts of failing to file state excise taxes (1998 and 1999) and one count of failing to have a general excise tax license. Per diem
Ikeda says he will appeal
Lihu’e barber Harry Ikeda was found guilty Tuesday of two counts of failing to file state excise taxes (1998 and 1999) and one count of failing to have a general excise tax license.
Per diem Judge Frank Rothschild ruled against Ikeda.
According to Stephen Hironaka, Hawai’i’s sole criminal tax investigator, Ikeda faces a maximum of three years in prison and $75,000 in fines.
Hironaka said it was more likely that Ikeda would receive a lesser sentence.
Sentencing was set for December.
“I guess the message is that you must have a general excise license (if you have a business). We want to make it fair for everybody. Pay your taxes voluntarily. If you come in and pay, you’re home free,” Hironaka said.
Ikeda disagreed with the District Court ruling.
In a press statement he prepared with a family member, Ikeda said he was saddened by the verdict.
“Our state’s court system is a shambles and an embarrassment to the justice it pretends to uphold… What Judge Rothschild failed to address was my Constitutional right to engage in any business without the interference of the state government,” Ikeda stated.
“I challenge everyone to go to the law library and read the statutes (Hawaii revised Statutes 237-9(b) and (c), 237-21 and 22 and 237-46). You will find out that those statutes actually proclaim that you can stand on your Constitutional rights and the Department of Taxation can’t take any legal action,” Ikeda said.
Ikeda stated he would appeal Tuesday’s guilty findings.
Hironaka said the arraignment for Kathleen Higa of Kathleen’s Glass Shop is set for October 18.
Higa is accused of not paying general excise returns for five years from 1995 through 1999.
Hironaka said Higa does have a general excise license.
TGI staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or mailto:dwilken@pulitzer.net.
