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David Arakawa
faces fine for not
filing campaign
spending reports

The city corporation counsel faces
an $8,000 fine for not filing for
the last four years

---

By Richard Borreca
Star-Bulletin

The city's top lawyer, David Arakawa, the corporation counsel, should be fined $8,000 for not filing campaign spending reports for the last four years, says Bob Watada, Campaign Spending Commission executive director.

Watada said yesterday that he will ask the commission to fine Arakawa $1,000 for each of the eight reports he failed to turn in.

Arakawa ran for city prosecutor in 1996 and lost to Peter Carlisle. He was later named corporation counsel by Mayor Jeremy Harris.

Arakawa was unavailable for comment yesterday.

His campaign had $23,000 left over, according to the last report filed in December 1996, Watada said.

But since then, Arakawa has not filed any reports.

Twice, he sent in a $50 payment, saying he realized he was late, Watada said.

The fine for turning in a report late is $50.

"But we have no idea what campaign money he has. He could have zero or a half-million (dollars)," Watada said.

Watada said he has tried to work with Arakawa to turn in his reports but has been unable to get the information required of all political candidates.

Once, Arakawa said his computer was broken, Watada said. Another time, he said he could not find the information, and another time he said he needed an accountant to help work on the information, according to Watada.

"We even said to bring the information down and we would help, but nothing," Watada said. "I've been overly patient."