A 51-year-old Honolulu resident faces up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines if convicted on three counts of making false statements to obtain workers' compensation benefits.

Kawena Tavares made his initial appearance in federal court last week for allegedly violating the Longshore & Harbor Worker's Compensation Act. His trial date is set for June 3. Tavares has been released on an appearance bond.

Edward H. Kubo Jr., U.S. attorney for the District of Hawai'i, said that according to the Indictment, the defendant made false statements about his physical condition, as well as his ability to perform routine physical tasks, at a civil deposition proceeding related to his claims for benefits under the LHWCA. Federal authorities received the case as a result of a private investigation concerning Tavares' physical condition.

The indictment is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor Inspector General's Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations.

The prosecution is being handled by assistant U.S. attorney Lou Bracco.