The chairman and chief executive officer of a major Hawaii employment firm has stepped down after being arrested for allegedly hiring a prostitute.
Matthew Delaney, a co-founder of The Hawaii Group, is no longer involved in day-to-day operations, the company announced Monday.
Delaney, 43, of Haleiwa was arrested Wednesday at 2:30 a.m. at The Kahala Hotel and Resort.
He was released on $500 bail, which he posted himself.
Delaney was unavailable for comment, and the company declined to discuss the pending charge.
Engaging in or agreeing to engage in sexual conduct with another person for a fee is a petty misdemeanor in Hawaii. Delaney’s appearance in Honolulu District Court is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 17.
Delaney was the subject of a feature story in Hawaii Business Magazine after the publication awarded him its SmallBiz 2013 Editor’s Choice Award for best new business. He was also featured in a story in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser in October 2010 about overcoming obstacles, including cancer and economic crises, as a young CEO.
The company announced Monday that co-founder Scott Meichtry has been named chairman and chief executive officer.
“The Hawaii Group team remains committed to providing our clients with the highest level of service,” Meichtry said.
“This transition will ensure our 110 team members will continue to focus on meeting our clients’ needs and that, for The Hawaii Group, it is business as usual.”
Meichtry formerly served as executive vice president.
The Hawaii Group, founded in 2009, focuses on human resource management in Hawaii and the continental United States, including staffing for health care and home care. Before moving to Hawaii, Meichtry formed Colorado-based Meichtry Enterprises LLC, focusing on commercial and residential real estate development.
