State Ethics Commission seeks applicants for 2 panel openings
The Judicial Council has set a June 10 deadline for applications for positions on the state Ethics Commission.The Judicial Council has reopened the application process for two anticipated Ethics Commission vacancies on June 30, when Cassandra J.L. Abdul and Dawn Suyenaga's terms expire. Suyenaga is eligible for reappointment to a four-year term.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, Hawaii residents and may not hold any other public office.
The commission regulates ethics of legislators, lobbyists and state employees other than judges who fall under the Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Members of the commission are constitutionally prohibited from taking part in political campaigns.
Anyone interested can submit an application, a resume and three letters of recommendation to Judicial Council, Hawaii Supreme Court, 417 S. King St., Second Floor, Honolulu 96813-2902. Applications are available at www.courts.state.hi.us or at the court's Public Affairs Office in Room 206-C of 417 S. King St.
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>> The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the federal agency that paid for fencing of some areas of Kauai's Mount Waialeale to protect endangered plants. An article Monday on Page A1 incorrectly identified the agency. Corrections and clarifications
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Managing Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com.
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
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LEEWARD OAHU
Police seeking witnesses to hit-and-run in Maili
Police need witnesses to a hit-and-run accident in Maili on May 12.Police said the suspect, possibly a female, was believed to have been driving a white, two-door Honda near Iliili and Paakea roads about 2:30 p.m. Police said, the suspect's vehicle struck a 61-year-old man who was riding his motorcycle Honolulu-bound on Paakea.
The victim was thrown about 30 feet. He was later airlifted to Queen's Medical Center in serious condition.
The suspect's vehicle was located a day later when the Honolulu Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire at the makai end of Iliili Road. Police said the car's vehicle identification number matched a license plate that was left at the scene of the accident
Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Mark Brown at 529-3499 or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *Crime on a cellular phone.
HONOLULU
Warning issued about 'Brandon Curtis' e-mail
CrimeStoppers and the U.S. Secret Service are reminding the public of a "Special Forces Commando" e-mail scam that has been in place for the past several years.Police said that a new e-mail version comes from a purported American Special Forces Commando named Brandon Curtis in Afghanistan. According to an e-mail letter sent to victims, Curtis found $36 million in drug money during a patrol and needs help to move the cash out of Afghanistan.
Police said "up front" or advance fees are requested to pay for taxes, attorney fees, transaction fees, and bribes.
Anyone who has received a related letter, fax, or e-mail is asked to contact the Secret Service at 541-1912, or CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *Crime on a cellular phone.
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[The Courts]
Drunken driver pleads guilty to causing 2 deaths
A 56-year-old man pleaded guilty yesterday to reduced charges of negligent homicide stemming from car crashes in July 2000 that killed two people and injured three others.Jones Poti also pleaded guilty to three counts of negligent injury and leaving the scene of an accident. He had been charged with two counts of manslaughter, three counts of negligent injury and accidental death.
In a plea agreement, Poti accepted 10 years in prison with the possibility of parole.
The maximum penalty for manslaughter is 20 years imprisonment.
Deputy Prosecutor Sherri Chun said Poti had been speeding and weaving in and out of traffic in his four-door truck on Farrington Highway in Waianae when he sideswiped a Pontiac Grand Am being driven by 58-year-old Elizabeth Kahalepuna.
The car was forced into the lanes of oncoming traffic and collided with another car driven by 30-year-old Janelle Joseph.
Kahalepuna and a 77-year-old passenger in the Joseph car were killed. Joseph fractured a rib and dislocated her hip. Kahalepuna's granddaughter went into a coma and suffered from a brain injury. Another Kahalepuna passenger, 41, broke his sternum.
Chun said Poti's blood-alcohol content of 0.17 percent was twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
Sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. July 26 before Judge Richard Perkins.
Man admits that burning his car was a bad move
A 50-year-old man who burned his Mercedes-Benz at a busy downtown intersection in front of Bank of Hawaii has pleaded no contest to charges stemming from spraying fire extinguishers and paint inside and outside the bank entrance.Richard Elstner pleaded no contest before Circuit Judge Karl Sakamoto yesterday to charges of reckless endangering in the first degree, four counts of third-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal property damage.
"Burning his car was a symbolic gesture rooted in his despair over years-long litigation over his father's trust," Deputy Public Defender Todd Eddins said after the hearing. "He recognizes that his actions exceeded the boundaries of the First Amendment" and regrets his actions.
The incident occurred Nov. 23 last year at Bishop and South King streets. Two victims who were sprayed with the fire extinguishers were taken to Queen's Medical Center, where they were treated and released. Two others were treated at the scene.
Each count of assault carries a maximum five years in jail, and a $10,000 fine. Reckless endangering has a one-year maximum with $2,000 fine. Criminal property damage is punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Sept. 17.
Not guilty plea in fraud case under Felix decree
A therapeutic nurse's aide pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of medical assistance fraud yesterday in the first case brought against a provider of services under the Felix consent decree.Susan Puapuaga, who worked for Alaka'i Na Keiki, an agency that provides services to special-needs children, was arraigned yesterday in Circuit Court.
Puapuaga is accused of billing the state, on 10 different occasions, a total of $1,800 worth of services that were not delivered .
Each charge is a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
The state Attorney General's Office is investigating six other fraud allegations stemming from state implementation of the federal court mandate to improve educational and mental health services. Attorney General Earl Anzai has said his office also is targeting money diversion, unqualified providers and falsification of records.
Puapuaga remains free after posting $5,000 bail. Trial is set for July 29 before Judge Wilfred Watanabe.
Inspections ordered for animal cruelty suspects
WAILUKU >> Wailuku District Judge Rhonda Loo yesterday ordered a Maui couple accused of 85 counts of animal cruelty to work out a weekly home-inspection schedule with authorities to make sure no dogs or cats are being treated poorly.Deputy Prosecutor Mark Simonds said he wanted the inspections because he's received reports that the couple has new dogs that have given birth to puppies.
"Our department's goal is to alleviate any suffering of any animals in that household," Simonds said.
He said neighbors were worried in light of the poor animal conditions that led to the removal in January of 82 dogs and 14 cats from the couple's home by the Maui Humane Society.
Attorney David Sereno, representing Jean Bermudez, said the charges were unsubstantiated.
Timothy Bermudez, 33, and his wife Marlyn, 58, also known as Jean, pleaded not guilty yesterday in court.
They are expected to undergo separate trials
If convicted, each misdemeanor charge carries a maximum penalty of a $2,000 fine and one year in jail.
Loo continued the arraignment hearing until June 18 to give defense attorneys an opportunity to review the allegations, including whether to request a trial by judge or jury.
