The American Association of Retired Persons is lauding a state bill expected to be signed into law today that makes telemarketing fraud a Class B felony in Hawaii. Telemarketing fraud measure
wins praise from local AARPWith telemarketing fraud a $40 billion annual industry nationwide, the law helps keep Hawaii's residents safer, said Greg Marchildon, AARP state director.
AARP volunteers and members in Hawaii know telemarketing fraud is a problem here, said Joe DeMattos, associate state director.
"We know in working with law enforcement partners across the nation and after interviewing convicted telephone scam artists, the only real deterrent to telemarketing criminals is the threat of prison time," he said.
Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono was expected to sign the bill today.
HUD post: Michael Liu may soon be back working for George Bush -- the son, not the father this time.
A former state legislator and deputy undersecretary and assistant secretary of agriculture in former President George Bush's administration, Liu was nominated last week as assistant secretary of housing and urban development with the George W. Bush administration. He faces confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
Liu ran in the GOP primary in Hawaii for lieutenant governor but lost to former state Sen. Stan Koki. Liu later moved to Illinois.
Threat assessment: Saying Barking Sands on Kauai would be a logical site to continue testing a missile defense system, Rep. Bob McDermott is supporting President Bush's defense program.
McDermott (R, Foster Village) is a candidate for Congress from the 2nd congressional district.
He said the missile defense system is needed, not because of the threat of large nations, but other forces.
"Our greatest threat is not from Russia anymore," he said.
"It is now from the crackpot dictators in Iran, Iraq and North Korea, who might decide to launch a few nuclear or germ warfare missiles if they got out on the wrong side of bed one morning," McDermott said.
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