KAILUA-KONA — A Big Island real estate agent, who appeared on a national television show, and her husband will enter pleas this week to allegations of welfare fraud.
Jene Nichole Green and Charles N. Green III, also known as Trey Green, of Ocean View turned themselves in to police Wednesday, and each subsequently posted $2,000 bail. They’re set to make an initial appearance Friday before Kona Circuit Judge Melvin Fujino, during which they each will enter pleas to a single count of first-degree theft.
Hawaii County prosecutors filed the case Sept. 17. A declaration by a state Department of Human Services investigator supporting the charges stated Jene Green wrongfully obtained Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits totaling $27,241 between January 2016 and April of this year by not accurately reporting her true income as a real estate agent.
The state began investigating Green, who appeared on HGTV’s “Hawaii Life,” after an eligibility worker noticed discrepancies in the reported income for the Green household, according to the declaration. The eligibility worker googled Green and came across her listings with Hawaii Life Real Estate.
The investigator said Green reported making just $3,000-$4,000 between Jan. 1, 2015, and April of this year. However, subpoenaed earnings from her employer indicate she was paid $360,158.03 in commissions during that time.
Green has a real estate license good through December 2020, according to the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
The department said Wednesday its Professional and Vocational Licensing Division normally refers allegations such as those made against Green to the Regulated Industries Complaints Office for investigation. The office is the division within the department that investigates and initiates disciplinary action against licensees.
“At this time, RICO has initiated a case involving Jene N. Green and is investigating the matter,” said Jessica Chillingworth, an education specialist with the DCCA, via email. “No further information can be provided.”
“Hawaii Life” is a reality show aired by HGTV. The show, featuring homebuyers looking to make their island dreams come true, has filmed 13 seasons since first airing in 2013.
The allegations against the Greens are unrelated to Hawaii Life Real Estate or its operations other than Jene Green was a Realtor salesperson.
Email Chelsea Jensen at cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com.
