By Trend News Line 2024-05-18 00:53:43.
Tearful defendants and their attorneys embraced after the clerk read the verdict in a high-profile case involving Honolulu’s former elected prosecutor, an island businessman, and his company’s associates. The jury found them not guilty in an alleged pay-for-prosecution scheme that threatened to put a woman in prison on bogus theft charges. The two-month trial concluded on Friday with the jury clearing longtime Honolulu prosecuting attorney Keith Kaneshiro, Dennis Mitsunaga, the former CEO of Mitsunaga & Associates Inc., and several company employees of conspiracy charges.
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The case revolved around accusations that Mitsunaga’s company sought to use the criminal justice system to retaliate against Laurel Mau, a former employee who had filed a lawsuit against the firm. Kaneshiro was alleged to have benefitted from campaign donations amounting to $50,000. The federal prosecutors claimed that the defendants conspired to prosecute Mau in revenge for her legal action against the company.
Six defendants were charged in the case, including Aaron Fujii, Chad McDonald, Teri Ann Otani, and Sheri Tanaka. The jury deliberated for a day and a half before delivering their verdict, which led to emotional scenes in the courtroom as defendants and their families reacted to the news. Kaneshiro, who had been under a cloud of suspicion for years, expressed relief at the outcome but questioned how he would restore his reputation.
The defense maintained throughout the trial that the campaign donations were a legitimate form of political support and that their pursuit of Mau was based on a genuine belief that she had committed theft. After the verdict was read, there were tears and applause in the gallery as the defendants and their legal teams embraced each other.
Mitsunaga, who could still face charges of witness tampering and obstruction of justice, was released from custody following the verdict. His attorney, Nina Marino, declined to comment on the potential future legal proceedings. Mitsunaga, 82, has been a prominent figure in Hawaii politics, known for his significant campaign contributions and close ties to elected officials.
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The trial highlighted the issue of illegal campaign donations and the influence of money in local politics. Evidence presented during the proceedings showed that some of the donations made by Mitsunaga’s team were illegal straw donations made in the names of individuals who did not provide the money. Subcontractors who relied on Mitsunaga for work testified that they felt pressured to donate to political campaigns to maintain their business relationships.
The case was seen as a significant loss for the San Diego-based prosecution team led by Special Attorney Michael Wheat, who has been investigating corruption in Honolulu for a decade. In a statement outside the courthouse, Kaneshiro criticised Wheat’s team and called for an investigation into the expenses incurred by the federal government in sending prosecutors from the mainland to Hawaii.
The trial, which lasted two months, involved detailed testimony and evidence regarding the alleged conspiracy to prosecute Mau. The defense argued that there was no quid pro quo and that the defendants had acted in good faith in their pursuit of legal action against Mau. Prosecutors contended that the actions of the defendants spoke louder than words, indicating a coordinated effort to use the legal system for personal vendettas.
The case stemmed from Mau’s termination from Mitsunaga’s company and subsequent legal dispute over unemployment benefits and alleged theft. Mau claimed she was wrongfully accused of theft and prosecuted at her former boss’s behest. The trial shed light on the complexities of the case and the challenges faced by all parties involved.
As the defendants celebrated their acquittal, the fallout from the case and its implications for Hawaii’s political landscape remain to be seen. The trial highlighted the interplay between money, power, and justice in the island state, raising questions about the ethical conduct of elected officials and the legal system..
1. Ex-Honolulu Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro bribery case
2. Businessman Dennis Mitsunaga bribery investigation.
