Convictions in visa fraud mostly stick
SAN FRANCISCO-- AP >> The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed most of the counts but has overturned one part of a Honolulu attorney's 1999 conviction for preparing fraudulent visa applications and stealing money from Japanese clients.The appeals court in its ruling yesterday affirmed convictions of S. Jay Matsumaru on two counts of wire fraud and two counts of visa fraud.
It reversed his conviction for establishing a commercial enterprise for the purpose of evading immigration laws.
Matsumaru was sentenced in 1999 to 41 months in federal prison and was ordered to make $50,000 in restitution payments to one client.
The appeals court ordered that the value of a van and business license that were part of one of his business schemes be deducted from the $50,000 restitution order.
During the trial, Assistant U.S. Attorney Omer Poirier said Matsumaru diverted client funds totaling $711,000 for his personal use.
Architecture symposium at UH Friday
New technologies in Asia-Pacific architecture will be the topic of a three-day symposium starting Friday at the University of Hawaii School of Architecture.Before the symposium begins, architect and writer Chris Abel will give a free lecture on "One Technology, Two Architectural Cultures" at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at the UH Architecture Auditorium, Room 205. Abel is a Malta-based expert on 20th-century Asia-Pacific architecture.
The symposium will feature an international panel of speakers: Australian architect Glenn Murcutt, winner of the 2000 Kenneth F. Brown Asia-Pacific Culture and Architecture Design Award, and precast concrete pioneer Alfred Yee, of Hawaii. Registration is $350. A daily rate is also available.
For more information, contact the Fourth International Symposium on Asia-Pacific Architecture at 956-7084, or e-mail archsymp@hawaii.edu. Online registration is available at web1.arch.hawaii.edu/events/symposium4.
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Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
Funds raised for diabetes stolen; event to proceed
Thieves broke into an American Diabetes Association office and walked off with a safe containing nearly $5,000 that had been raised for this weekend's Hawaii Walk for Diabetes, a spokeswoman said yesterday.The break-in occurred Monday night at the association's South Beretania Street office, administrator Tracy Nicolas said.
A laptop computer and a briefcase also were taken, Nicolas said.
Nicolas said she discovered the theft when she arrived for work.
She said the diabetes association is hoping for a larger-than-expected turnout at Saturday's event to help recoup some of the funds that were stolen.
Quick action at fire helps save couple in their 70s
Fire investigators said two good Samaritans probably saved an elderly couple from being trapped inside a burning house yesterday afternoon in Palolo.The couple, in their 70s, were at home at 1871 Palolo Ave. when their neighbor and a passer-by noticed smoke and flames coming from the laundry area.
Both men used garden hoses to keep the flames from spreading. Fire crews were called to the scene at 3:53 p.m. and brought the fire under control within three minutes.
A fire investigator said the fire still caused $32,000 in damage to the home and another $2,000 damage to a neighboring property. A gas leak in the couple's dryer is believed to be the cause of the fire.
Man killed on moped ride was from New Jersey
KAILUA-KONA >> Police have identified the victim of a moped accident on Kuakini Highway in North Kona as Bartolo Saragosa III, 37, of Lakewood, N.J.Saragosa died Sunday when he struck a guardrail and was thrown from the moped. An investigation is continuing.
