Retired HPD officer
pleads not guilty
to food theft

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Star-Bulletin staff

A retired detective in the Honolulu Police Department's Internal Affairs pleaded not guilty yesterday to theft in the food scandal at the police cellblock.

John Michael Spondike, 52, pleaded not guilty to second-degree theft for taking over $300 worth of food items from the department during a period after he retired and was working as a contract hire in the Central Receiving Division.

He is the third individual to be charged in the scandal that involved funds intended to feed prisoners being diverted to feed police officers.

Spondike worked in the cellblock kitchen which was designed only to heat prepackaged or ready-made meals for the prisoners. He was also one of the people in charge of ordering food for the prisoners, according to prosecutors.

Spondike was released on his own recognizance until his trial, set for Dec. 10 before Circuit Judge Karl Sakamoto.