Harris cries foul
over investigation

The mayor contends that
the campaign spending inquiry
has political motives

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By Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.com

Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris says a state Campaign Spending Commission investigation of his campaign finances is "a political vendetta."

Harris complained yesterday that Robert Watada, the commission's executive director, is engaged in an effort "to stop me from becoming governor."

Watada denied there is any political motivation in the investigation and called Harris' remarks "somewhat desperate."

Harris said the investigation, which has already resulted in fines for five companies and individuals that gave more than allowed to Harris, is singling out his campaign for scrutiny.

"I don't know what is at the basis of it," Harris said, "But it is clear he is politically motivated and I don't think it is appropriate."

Harris said the commission's interpretations of state law "all seem to be targeted toward my campaign."

Harris said Watada worked on a campaign for former City Councilman Mufi Hannemann, who last year ran unsuccessfully against him.

"I know he has personally campaigned for a number of my opponents and I don't think he should be misusing his position," Harris said.

Watada acknowledged that he helped Hannemann's campaign in 1986, but that he was a volunteer in the campaign.

"Mufi had worked for Gov. George Ariyoshi in his office when I worked for the state Labor Department, so we knew each other. When he called and asked me to help him, I did," Watada said.

He denied that he had been involved in any political campaigns since becoming executive director of the Campaign Spending Commission in 1995.

"I think the commission clearly has a mission to enforce the campaign spending laws and rules, if there are areas that need to be addressed, we address them," Watada said.

A. Duane Black, commission chairman, said Watada "probably has the cleanest hands in town and I'm not sure why Jeremy is raising these flags."

Black said the commission is now able to analyze spending reports with a computer and it is possible to find when corporations or executives in a company make too many donations to a candidate.

"My feeling is that there is a lot of this going on and people are going to have to realize that they are going to have to follow the rules," Black said.

"I guess the mayor is ticked off at Bob and the commission, but I don't get it," Black said, noting that Hannemann is running for mayor this year and Harris is running for governor.

Watada said the commission staff has identified more than 60 corporations and individuals who gave more than the allowed amount to Harris' campaign and the investigation is expected to be a long one.

"This is considerably larger than our other investigations, we are talking about a lot of contributors," Watada said.

A Star-Bulletin investigation into Harris' contributions earlier this year showed that Honolulu Police Commission member Alan Ho donated $15,000 through his family and businesses.

In June, the Star-Bulletin reported that more than a dozen city contractors contributed nearly $750,000 to Harris' 2000 re-election campaign. That amount is about a quarter of the $2.98 million that Harris raised for his re-election, which he won handily over Hannemann.