HPD worker pleads
no contest in theft

Other charges against Winston
Owan are dropped in a plea deal

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By Debra Barayuga
dbarayuga@starbulletin.com

One of two former supervisors in the Honolulu Police Department's vehicle maintenance section has pleaded no contest to theft charges for purchasing auto parts at inflated prices for kickbacks.

Winston Owan, 46, said yesterday he agreed to a plea deal at the advice of his attorney. He was one of two civilian HPD employees indicted in April on charges they funneled about 75 percent of the Police Department's business to a Kaimuki auto parts store in exchange for kickbacks.

Brothers John and Vernon Isono of Larry's Auto Parts, who prosecutors said overcharged the department for auto parts, are also expected to change their plea today on second-degree theft and bribery charges.

In exchange for Owan's plea to first- and second-degree theft, remaining charges of money laundering, illegal ownership of a business and bribery will be dropped.

Owan has also agreed to testify truthfully and cooperate with the city's investigation.

He must also pay $10,000 restitution.

Owan, who worked for the department for 26 years and left in April, could face a maximum of 10 years on the first-degree theft charge and five years for second-degree theft.

Richard Hoke, Owan's attorney, said he is hopeful the court will grant his client a deferral of his no-contest plea when sentenced March 5, 2002. If granted, Owan has an opportunity to remove the conviction from his record if he abides by the court's conditions.

Deputy Prosecutor Randal Lee said that between July 1, 1993, and Aug. 30, 1999, Owan ordered over $20,000 worth of auto parts from Larry's without the city's permission. Purchases are usually made from a price schedule set up by the city and Larry's was not an authorized vendor.

Owan also admitted to submitting false billings in excess of $300 to the city for high-performance parts that were never installed in police vehicles.

The Isonos allegedly offered bribes to Owan and another supervisor, Victor Hasebe, in exchange for the department's business. About 75 percent of the department's business went to Larry's Auto Parts, prosecutors said.

The case involving Hasebe is pending. Hasebe pleaded not guilty in April.