The Oahu grand jury investigating Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris' political campaign will question witness Lisa-Katherine Otsuka for a second time when it meets tomorrow. More questions due
for Harris probe witnessBy Rick Daysog
rdaysog@starbulletin.comThe 13-member investigative panel asked Otsuka to appear for additional questioning after she invoked her constitutional right against self-incrimination Oct. 17.
Otsuka, 32, said yesterday that she plans to appear for the hearing at Circuit Court but declined further comment.
Her attorney, Paul Cunney, also had no response. In the past, Cunney said his client would not answer questions until city prosecutors granted Otsuka immunity.
Prosecutors want to question Otsuka about thousands of dollars in payments made to her from Campaign Service Inc., a local polling and public relations firm headed by Harry Mattson and Norma Wong.
Mattson and Wong, who worked on Harris' past campaigns, are longtime associates of former Gov. John Waihee.
Harris campaign officials said they don't know Otsuka and have made no payments to her. Harris also said he does not know Otsuka.
Jim Fulton, executive assistant to city Prosecutor Peter Carlisle, declined comment, saying it's inappropriate for the Prosecutor's Office to comment on anything related to the grand jury.
Otsuka was subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury last month but declined to show up. She was arrested Sept. 9 for contempt of court.
An Oahu grand jury also indicted Otsuka last month for allegedly stealing $3,000 from a Wahiawa nonprofit group. That indictment came after the former Miss Maui was arrested at a Waikiki hotel on Aug. 15 on suspicion of promoting prostitution.
Otsuka has denied wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty to the theft charge.