Indictment alleges extortion by Pali shooting suspects
Four men allegedly ran gambling houses and resorted to threats
Four Hawaii men, two of whom are suspects in the Pali Golf Course shootings, were part of a criminal organization that extorted businesses and individuals and owned an illegal gambling business, according to federal court documents.
An indictment named Kai Ming Wang, also known as "A Fook," as the alleged leader of the enterprise, whose gambling business, operating between 1999 to January 2004, grossed $2,000 on any single day.
Also indicted were Rodney Joseph and Kevin A. Gonsalves, two of the suspects in the Jan. 7, 2004, double-murder and attempted-murder shootings at the Pali Golf Course. They followed Wang's directions, along with a fourth defendant, Siaosi Alapati, according to court documents.
The four were charged Feb. 15 with operating an illegal gambling business and operating a racketeer-influenced and corrupt organization, along with robbery and assault -- violent crimes in aid of racketeering activity.
The indictment was unsealed Wednesday.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Brady said the government is not alleging any link with the golf course shootings at this time, but police have said the shootings stemmed from a dispute between factions competing to provide security at gambling houses.
Alapati is free on a $50,000 bond, while the other three are in federal custody. Wang was arrested Tuesday, Brady said. Joseph and Gonsalves were already in custody in the murder case, awaiting trial.
To generate income, organization members and associates allegedly ran gambling houses where card games and electronic video gambling machines were used, and extorted money from businesses and individuals through threats and the use of physical and economic harm.
The four men also allegedly were involved in conspiring to extort owners of a rival illegal gambling business or "game room" at 98-820 Moanalua Road in Pearl City from August to September 2003. Joseph, Gonsalves and Alapati allegedly assaulted and robbed individuals with firearms at the Pearl City game room.