By Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
Milton Holt talked with reporters yesterday outside
federal court. He was scheduled to enter a drug
treatment center the same day.
Judge orders Holt
placed in drug
treatment center
Prosecutors had wanted the
ex-state senator jailed after
he admitted to using illegal
drugs at least twiceGovernor:Trustees should quit
Goldman valuation conservative?
By Rick Daysog
Star-BulletinA federal judge has ordered former state Sen. Milton Holt to enroll in an inpatient substance abuse treatment center, saying the once-powerful legislator has a serious drug problem.
Over the objections of federal prosecutors, who wanted Holt incarcerated after he admitted to using illegal drugs on at least two occasions, U.S. Magistrate Barry Kurren ruled yesterday that Holt should be placed in a treatment center.
"If there are any more violations, that will be it," Kurren warned Holt. "Only you can deal with this, and I suggest you make this a priority."
Holt -- a special projects officer for the Bishop Estate and a former assistant athletic director at Kamehameha Schools -- acknowledged that he's had a substance abuse problem for a year and has been seeking treatment for it.
"It's been a struggle," said Holt, who attended yesterday's federal court hearing with his attorney Reginald Minn, his father, Charles Holt, and his sister Vicky Holt Takamine.
"It's been kind of tough, but I think I can make it. I have to stay clean and sober."
Last October, a federal grand jury indicted Holt, 46, on charges that he stole thousands of dollars in campaign funds from his unsuccessful 1996 re-election effort.
Between 1993 and 1997, the former legislator wrote four campaign checks totaling $14,695 to locally based Ryan's Graphics Inc. and its president, Neal Kunimura, the indictment said. Ryan's and Kunimura then returned $9,940 of that money to Holt for his own use.
Holt -- whose trial has been set for May 11 -- has pleaded not guilty to the theft charge.
As part of his pretrial supervised release, Holt posted a $25,000 signature bond and was prohibited from using alcohol and illegal drugs. Holt also agreed to undergo random drug and alcohol testing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Seabright recommended that Holt's bail be revoked. Seabright said that Holt admitted to using crystal methamphetamine March 2 after testing positive for amphetamine/methamphetamine Jan. 2.
Holt also tested positive for illegal drugs on Oct. 15, or two days after he told a Pretrial Services officer that he had never used illegal drugs.
"The court has to send a message that enough is enough," Seabright said. "He's been given too many opportunities."
Kurren said Holt must enter a drug treatment center within three days and must remain there for no less than 30 days. Minn said Holt was to check into a drug treatment center yesterday.
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