Charges that a Honolulu police officer stole money that belonged to a drug dealer are "completely false," his attorney said yesterday. Honolulu officer pleads
innocent to theft charge
By Debra Barayuga
dbarayuga@starbulletin.com"This officer is innocent, and we intend to prove his innocence," said David Gierlach, who represents Robert Fu.
Fu, an officer for 10 years including the last four in Narcotics-Vice, pleaded not guilty yesterday in Circuit Court to a charge of second-degree theft, which involves more than $300.
Gierlach said Fu has been involved in numerous police operations, and the case against him is an example of "prosecutorial overcharging" and "making something out of nothing."
"We don't believe he did anything wrong," Gierlach said.
Fu was indicted by an Oahu grand jury Feb. 12.
The indictment resulted from an Internal Affairs investigation that began when John Nix, a convicted felon, filed a complaint.
Police said officers responded to a call Aug. 9 at a Waikiki hotel about individuals doing drugs in a room with an infant present. The officers found cocaine, heroin and smoking pipes in a room occupied by Nix and another woman, police said.
Nix filed the complaint after money he claims belonged to him was not turned in as evidence from the arrest.