On the evening of October 9th, an unexpected traffic stop unfolded on the picturesque island of Lanai, Hawaii. Larry Ellison, the billionaire founder of Oracle and owner of a significant portion of the island, found himself facing a citation for speeding and running a stop sign.
Larry Ellison's traffic stop on Lanai Island
The incident, captured on the officer’s body camera footage, shows Ellison’s black Porsche being pulled over at approximately 6:30 PM. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer informs Ellison of the reason for the stop, stating, “The reason I stopped you is you ran through the stop sign and you’re kind of speeding there.”
Ellison, whose net worth is estimated at $98.2 billion according to Forbes, owns a staggering 98% of Lanai. The officer’s body camera footage reveals a brief exchange between him and Ellison, during which Ellison acknowledges his error, stating, “I was trying to get home for dinner with my kids but there’s no excuse me, okay.”
Lanai City, the main town on Lanai Island
Following Ellison’s admission, the officer proceeds to request his driver’s license and insurance information. The body camera footage then shows the officer relaying Ellison’s personal details to dispatch for verification.
Interestingly, the audio captures lighthearted banter among the officers after the exchange with Ellison, with one officer jokingly suggesting, “Run him for everything at settlement.”
Despite his considerable wealth and influence, Ellison received a standard traffic citation for his actions. He accepted the citation without contest, further solidifying his reputation for respecting the law, even when on an island he predominantly owns.
