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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, May 27, 2010

Broker convicted of failing to file state tax returns

Advertiser Staff

Real estate broker Gordon C.Y. Au has been convicted of 10 misdemeanor state tax crimes and will be sentenced July 28 by Circuit Judge Michael Wilson.

Au, of Honolulu, claimed at trial that he did not have to file general excise and income tax returns because he is a Hawaiian national and exempt from tax laws.

Following a two-day trial, a jury took 90 minutes to find Au guilty of all counts.

He was convicted of failing to file returns for tax years 2002 through 2006.

The crimes are punishable by up to a year in jail and $25,000 in fines.

"All citizens have the responsibility to pay the taxes they owe," said Attorney General Mark Bennett, whose office prosecuted the case in cooperation with the state Tax Department .