It all started with a traffic ticket issued in 2014, and it has now become a federal investigation into possible public corruption, or a possible “ghost” ticket scandal devised by officers to receive more overtime pay. In essence, the case involves a DUI/speeding ticket that was dismissed at the request of city prosecutors in 2014. However, because of differing storylines and a lack of proof for reasonable dismissal of the ticket, the whole situation has since come into question.
Katherine Kealoha, wife of former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha, is one of the top deputy prosecutors and was present at the hearing 3 years ago when Adam Wong went to court for his traffic ticket. Kealoha told the judge that another person had been driving Wong’s car at the time, a “career criminal,” who she claimed they had in custody. The judge dismissed Wong’s ticket, but another charge seems to have never been placed. Since the court date, the federal grand jury has been investigating whether or not Kealoha lied to help Wong, who she claims is her electrician, out of the ticket.
Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro has stood by Kealoha throughout this ordeal, and initially explained that Wong’s ticked dismissal was due to a “ghost” ticket issue. According to Kaneshiro, officers were writing fake traffic tickets so that they would have to appear in court. The officers would then be able to collect overtime pay for time they themselves orchestrated. Sources say three high-ranking police officers met with the prosecutors because they were accused of writing fake tickets.
However, there is no record of any wrongdoing in the accused officers’ records, and the prosecutors have given no evidence to support their claims. If Kaneshiro lied about the investigation or slandered the officers in question, he could face charges for giving false testimony before a federal grand jury.
More recently, Prosecuting Attorney Kaneshiro said that Wong’s citation was dismissed as part of a plea deal that had to do with the ghost ticket case. Kaneshiro told Hawaii News Now “It was a plea agreement signed by me,” however, he has not provided any documentation as proof.
With a large stack of accusations and minimal evidence, the investigation continues and questions remain. However, defense attorneys are hopeful that Prosecuting Attorney Kaneshiro’s own words can be used against him for their own cases. If you have been charged with a DUI, don’t wait. Take this opportunity to contact me and start building a firm defense for your case.
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If you are facing DUI charges, contact The Law Offices of Kevin O-Grady, LLC, today!