Hawaii Resident Patricia 'Trish' Johnson to Face Trial for $5.2M Coffee Fraud Scheme
Patricia 'Trish' Johnson, a Hawaii resident, is set to face trial on December 1 before Senior U.S. District Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi. She has pleaded not guilty to a $5.2 million coffee fraud scheme, involving 24 counts, including wire fraud and money laundering.
Johnson allegedly sold coffee labeled as '100% Kona coffee' between 2012 and 2024, despite it being sourced from foreign countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. Prosecutors claim she bought over 194,000 pounds of green coffee beans from wholesalers in Seattle and Oakland, passing them off as pure Kona coffee.
The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking the forfeiture of $5,260,095 from Johnson's coffee shop, alleging she made millions from the fraud. Johnson was initially detained due to concerns about witness intimidation but was later released on an unsecured $50,000 bond. The trial will determine her fate in this significant case.
The trial of Patricia 'Trish' Johnson is set for December 1, with the outcome potentially resulting in significant financial penalties and imprisonment if she is found guilty. The case highlights the importance of consumer protection and the enforcement of truthful labeling in the food industry.
