Whatever
Happened...
Question: What ever happened to the Sept. 20 trial of Sen. Marshall Ige, who was charged with campaign spending violations? Ige’s campaign spending
trial set for May 2000Answer: Circuit Judge Sandra Simms on Tuesday set a firm trial date of May 22, 2000.
The September trial date was earlier continued to Nov. 15 after the defense sought more time because of the amount of discovery required. Ige's attorney, Birney Bervar, asked for a second continuance last week to allow more preparation.
While the state objected to both continuances and sought the earliest trial date, Deputy Attorney General Kurt Spohn agreed the case requires far more preparation than for a typical misdemeanor trial.
Ige pleaded not guilty in August to seven misdemeanor criminal counts of violating state campaign finance laws and asked for a jury trial. He contends the charges are politically motivated.
Ige is charged with failing to report campaign expenditures, failing to disclose a campaign deficit and accepting an improper campaign loan. He is also charged with providing false unsworn testimony when asked about $22,500 in campaign loans from relatives.
All but one of the charges stem from an alleged campaign finance scheme involving Bishop Estate and several of its vendors. He is the second legislator to face criminal charges in connection with the finance scheme.
If convicted, Ige faces up to a year in prison and a $2,000 fine for each campaign spending violation. He could also be barred from holding public office for four years.
Debra Barayuga, Star-Bulletin
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