Laurel Mau : “Ex-Honolulu Prosecutor and Businessman Defendants in Bribery Case”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Honolulu bribery case
2. Keith Kaneshiro corruption scandal

Former Honolulu prosecutor, an island businessman, and associates found not guilty in alleged pay-for-prosecution scheme. Longtime prosecuting attorney Keith Kaneshiro did not conspire with Dennis Mitsunaga, former CEO of engineering firm Mitsunaga & Associates Inc. Verdict read after two-month trial. Prosecutors claimed Mitsunaga sought revenge on Laurel Mau for suing the company, benefiting from campaign donations. Six defendants acquitted on conspiracy charges. Defense argued donations were political support. Kaneshiro criticized federal prosecutors for tarnishing his reputation. Mitsunaga released from custody. Prosecution criticized for lack of evidence. Defense portrayed defendants as professionals with good faith beliefs. Jurors urged to focus on facts and not speculation. Prosecution accused of twisting interactions into something malicious. Defense emphasized lack of quid pro quo evidence. Tanaka expressed gratitude for the verdict.

Verdict Announced in Honolulu Corruption Trial

In a dramatic turn of events in the Honolulu corruption trial, tearful defendants and their attorneys embraced after the clerk read the verdict. The former elected prosecutor of Honolulu, an island businessman, and his company’s associates were found not guilty in an alleged pay-for-prosecution scheme. The feds claimed that the scheme threatened to put a woman in prison on bogus theft charges.

After a two-month trial, a jury found longtime Honolulu prosecuting attorney Keith Kaneshiro did not conspire with Dennis Mitsunaga, the former CEO of a prominent engineering firm, Mitsunaga & Associates Inc., and several company employees to arrange for the prosecution of Laurel Mau, a former employee of Mitsunaga.

The Allegations and Acquittal

Prosecutors alleged that Mitsunaga’s company sought to use the criminal justice system to exact revenge on Mau for suing her former employer. Kaneshiro was said to have benefitted from some $50,000 in campaign donations as part of the scheme. However, after the jury’s deliberation, Kaneshiro, Mitsunaga, and their associates, including Aaron Fujii, Chad McDonald, Terri Ann Otani, and attorney Sheri Tanaka, were all acquitted of the charges.

Throughout the trial, the defense argued that the donations were a constitutionally protected form of political support. They also maintained that their pursuit of Mau was based on a good faith belief that she had stolen from the company.

Emotional Reactions and Criticisms

After the verdict was read, some defendants and their attorneys broke down in tears, while their loved ones in the gallery erupted in applause. Kaneshiro, in remarks outside the courthouse, criticized federal prosecutors for putting him and his co-defendants “under a cloud of suspicion” for years.

He expressed his feelings of vindication but questioned how he would regain his reputation. When asked if he would run for office again, Kaneshiro did not answer, but Mitsunaga, standing nearby, encouraged him to do so without campaign donations.

Possible Charges and Business Impact

Despite the acquittal, Mitsunaga could still face charges of witness tampering and obstruction of justice for his alleged efforts to change the testimony of a trial witness. His attorney declined to comment on the matter. Mitsunaga, who has long been accused of using money to influence island politicians for his benefit, expressed relief at being released from custody.

The trial highlighted the significant political giving of Mitsunaga and his associates, who donated over $1 million to candidates between 2006 and 2021. The businessman’s firm has also benefitted from government contracts worth at least $49 million since 2011.

Previous Corruption Cases

This case is a significant loss for the San Diego-based prosecution team led by Special Attorney Michael Wheat, who has been investigating corruption in Honolulu for about a decade. In 2019, Wheat successfully prosecuted the largest corruption case in Hawaii history, involving former deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha and others.

The trial for three city officials accused of improperly granting a retirement payout is scheduled to begin in March 2025. Kaneshiro criticized Wheat’s team outside the courthouse and invited the media to investigate the expenses incurred by sending special prosecutors from the mainland to Hawaii.

Conclusion

The Honolulu corruption trial concluded with emotional reactions and acquittals. The defendants, including former prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro and businessman Dennis Mitsunaga, were found not guilty in the alleged pay-for-prosecution scheme. The trial shed light on the intricate web of political influence and campaign contributions, highlighting the complexities of the justice system and the impact of corruption allegations on public officials and businesses in Hawaii.