HONOLULU (KHON2) — Three former top Honolulu city officials have agreed to deals with federal prosecutors in connection with convicted police Chief Louis Kealoha. One legal analyst says this gives the city and the public closure on the case.
Donna Leong, former Honolulu corporation counsel, Max Sword, former police commission chair and Roy Amemiya, former city managing director all reached agreements with the federal government in their involvement for former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha’s retirement payout.
“What that does is that eliminates the need for a trial,” said Doug Chin, attorney and legal analyst. “It eliminates the uncertainty of what could happen if the case goes to trial. It eliminates any appeals that could have happened as a result of a trial. It’s all over. And so I think if there’s any good takeaway that comes from what’s happening here, it’s the news that this case is finally coming to a close.”
The trio were charged with conspiracy for bypassing the city council’s approval to pay out Kealoha’s $250,000 retirement settlement. Kealoha was under federal investigation at the time, and was later convicted for conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
“What it really shows to the public is that this chapter is coming to a close,” Chin said. “And hopefully the city and all of the new generation of officials are learning from that and are able to move on to building a community that the public can trust.”
The three officials originally pleaded not guilty to the charges. Leong and Sword will agree to pay restitution and serve one year supervised release. Amemiya’s deal is deferred prosecution agreement. He will pay restitution and perform community service.
The deals will be made official in March.