Grand Jury Issues Subpoenas in Kenoi Case

[opihikao]

FYI: (*Update - Snipped / More at link)

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/31469...y-convened


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) -

EXCLUSIVE: Grand jury in Kenoi case issues subpoenas

A Hilo grand jury will meet March 23 to investigate potential theft charges against Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi.

Hawaii News Now has learned that the panel has issued subpoenas to several county staffers about Kenoi's use of his government credit card.

Since taking office, Kenoi racked up more than $120,000 on his government credit card on meals and lodging at high end hotels and restaurants. He also used the card at Oahu hostess bars such as the Club Evergreen and the Camelot Restaurant Lounge.

Sources say investigators have narrowed their case to a handful of transactions. Legal experts say that's an appropriate strategy.

"If you pick something that's clearly unequivocally wrong and easy to prove then you're in a position of strength," said former city Prosecutor Peter Carlisle. "Even a fraction of what's rumored ... is so completely over the falls in terms of improper political behavior."

Kenoi has said he always planned to pay back the money. But investigators want to show that he only did so after he was warned or told to return the money.

Former Big Island Mayor Harry Kim recalls telling Kenoi not to use the card for personal expenses back when he hired him as his executive assistant.

"I just told him you have to be very very careful how we use this pCard," said Kim. "People trust us with this card."

Kim says Kenoi -- whose attorney declined comment today -- has lost the trust of voters on the Big Island.

"Yes it is overdue," Kim said. "This is way overdue."

[Punatic007]

This whole scandal is just the tip of the iceberg. If Mayor Billy so flagrantly used taxpayers money to pay for very expensive female flirtations and sexual attention in a bar set up for this very purpose(which is commonly referred to as prostitution); and other expensive personal items completely unrelated to his job, what else did he do with our hard earned money and our island?

How else did he sell us out?

[Rob Tucker]

I have heard it said that Billy has tucked away a few million dollars while in office.

[HiloPuna]

Posted - 03/15/2016 : 04:51:55 Show Profile Email Poster Reply with Quote
I have heard it said that Billy has tucked away a few million dollars while in office.

Scurrilous. Look it up...

[Chunkster]

I don't know about the "few million dollars," but Kenoi's connections to unions and contractors do make people wonder. The park building binge that some people point to as Kenoi's great contribution to the Big Island involved heavy borrowing that has left the county near its safe limit for bonded indebtedness. (Think of it as Billy leaving the county with its only credit card charged to just below the limit. A credit card analogy does seem appropriate, after all.) When you add the well known fact that there is practically always waste and cost overruns in county construction even beyond the usual government levels, is it any wonder that corruption comes to mind? Billy's friends among the unions and contractors have been well taken care of. Has there been a quid pro quo? Not hard to imagine, but proving it is another matter.

The grand jury will be looking at just the P-Card mess, at least initially. The fact remains that Kenoi did not try to pay back his all of his illicit charges until he had been caught. If this provokes looking into all of Kenoi's finances, then so be it. It could get really interesting, especially if the Feds decide to get involved.

[kalakoa]

Kenoi's connections to unions and contractors ... heavy borrowing that has left the county near its safe limit for bonded indebtedness...

Per recent reports, there is about $135M "approved" bonds that have yet to be disbursed.

[Aaron S]

quote:

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Originally posted by Chunkster

I don't know about the "few million dollars," but Kenoi's connections to unions and contractors do make people wonder. The park building binge that some people point to as Kenoi's great contribution to the Big Island involved heavy borrowing that has left the county near its safe limit for bonded indebtedness.

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Bear in mind the County Council went along with this additional bonding. It wasn't just Mayor Kenoi who authorized this. There is check and balances system in place. If this placed the county "perilously" close to the recommended amount of indebtedness, the council shares equal blame.

[kalakoa]

County Council went along with this additional bonding

By some amazing coincidence, each councilor was granted funds to be used for "special projects" in their respective district.

[Chunkster]

Aaron S: Of course the council bears a hefty share of the blame, but this thread is about Billy Kenoi. The use of the term "perilously" was yours and not mine. Do you think it's that bad?

kalakoa: Yes, the old "what's in it for me" adage applies, and the feckless council bought into it.

[Aaron S]

quote:

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Originally posted by Chunkster

Aaron S: Of course the council bears a hefty share of the blame, but this thread is about Billy Kenoi. The use of the term "perilously" was yours and not mine. Do you think it's that bad?

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I used the term "perilously" because it seemed that was the underlying tone of your post.

I have concerns about county's indebtedness, but I don't solely blame the Mayor for this issue. The county council shares the blame also.