Honolulu’s former Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro and businessman Dennis Mitsunaga have been indicted in a bribery scheme. The indictment alleges that Mitsunaga and his network of employees and affiliates paid Kaneshiro over $45,000 in campaign contributions to prosecute one of Mitsunaga’s former employees and violate that employee’s civil rights. Kaneshiro and Mitsunaga were arrested, along with three of Mitsunaga’s employees, and have made their first appearances in federal court. The charges include Conspiracy to Commit Federal Program Bribery and Honest Services Wire Fraud, as well as Conspiracy Against Rights. This case highlights the importance of holding public officials accountable for their actions and maintaining the integrity of the justice system.
Indictment of Keith Kaneshiro and Dennis Mitsunaga in Bribery Scheme
Background of the Case
The case involves former Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Keith Mitsuyoshi Kaneshiro and Honolulu businessman Dennis Mitsunaga, who have been indicted in a bribery scheme. Kaneshiro and Mitsunaga are accused of participating in a scheme in which Mitsunaga and his network of employees and affiliates paid Kaneshiro more than $45,000 in campaign contributions to prosecute one of his former employees and violate that employee’s civil rights.
Arrest and First Appearances in Federal Court
Kaneshiro and Mitsunaga were arrested at their homes and made their first appearances in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Wes Reber Porter. Also indicted and arrested were three of Mitsunaga’s employees – Terri Ann Otani, Aaron Shunichi Fujii, and Chad Michael McDonald. All are charged with Conspiracy to Commit Federal Program Bribery and Honest Services Wire Fraud, and Conspiracy Against Rights.
Indictment and Arrest of Mitsunaga’s Employees
In addition to Kaneshiro and Mitsunaga, three of Mitsunaga’s employees – Terri Ann Otani, Aaron Shunichi Fujii, and Chad Michael McDonald – were also indicted and arrested. They are charged with Conspiracy to Commit Federal Program Bribery and Honest Services Wire Fraud, and Conspiracy Against Rights.
Motivation Behind the Bribery Scheme
According to the indictment, Mitsunaga wanted a fired employee, identified as L.J.M., to be prosecuted after that employee filed a federal discrimination suit against Mitsunaga’s company. In order to influence the prosecutor’s office to open an investigation and file charges, Mitsunaga steered tens of thousands of dollars to Kaneshiro’s reelection campaigns between 2012 and 2016.
Circumvention of Campaign Contribution Limits
Mitsunaga allegedly circumvented campaign contribution limits by asking for contributions from family members, business partners, employees, and subcontractors. By doing so, he was able to provide more than $45,000 in campaign contributions to Kaneshiro over a period of four years.
Baseless Accusations and Intimidation
The accusations against L.J.M. were baseless and motivated by a desire to intimidate the employee, according to the indictment. The indictment alleges that in the summer of 2014, after a senior deputy prosecutor in Kaneshiro’s office recommended declining charges against L.J.M., Kaneshiro reassigned the case to a recently hired deputy prosecuting attorney. Around December 1, 2014, acting on behalf of Kaneshiro, the deputy prosecuting attorney filed a felony information against L.J.M.
Prosecution and Dismissal of L.J.M.’s Case
The prosecution of L.J.M. continued for several years until her case was dismissed with prejudice by Hawaii Circuit Judge Karen T. Nakasone on September 15, 2017. The order of dismissal pointed out the “one-sided nature of the investigation” and the fact that the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney “was little more than acting as the recipient of, and conduit for” submissions provided by Mitsunaga & Associates.
Alleged Exchange of Contributions for Official Action
The indictment alleges that in exchange for the contributions given to him by defendants Mitsunaga, Otani, Fujii, McDonald, and others, Kaneshiro agreed to take official action and exercise his authority as the Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu to open an investigation into and prosecute L.J.M.
Randy Grossman’s Statement on the Indictment
U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman in the Southern District of California stated that the indictment alleges a Honolulu businessman and others paid over $45,000 in campaign contributions to the former Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney to prosecute a former employee. Grossman emphasized that public officials must conduct their affairs honestly and with integrity, and the Department of Justice will work to hold accountable anyone who betrays that duty through the influence of bribes.
FBI’s Commitment to Combat Corruption
Special Agent in Charge Steven B. Merrill of the FBI’s Honolulu Division expressed the FBI’s commitment to ensuring that people cannot buy prosecutions in the State of Hawaii. Merrill stated that corruption erodes public trust and that the citizens of Hawaii deserve a government free of corruption. The FBI is committed to working with U.S. Attorney Grossman and the prosecution team to uphold justice.
Defendants in the Case
The defendants in the case are Keith Mitsuyoshi Kaneshiro, Dennis Mitsunaga, Terri Ann Otani, Aaron Shunichi Fujii, and Chad Michael McDonald.
Charges and Penalties
The defendants are charged with Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Fraud and Federal Program Bribery, and Conspiracy Against Rights. The maximum penalty for Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Fraud and Federal Program Bribery is five years in prison, while the maximum penalty for Conspiracy Against Rights is ten years in prison.
FBI’s Role in the Investigation
The FBI in Honolulu played a crucial role in the investigation of the bribery scheme involving Kaneshiro and Mitsunaga. The FBI’s commitment to combating corruption and ensuring that justice is upheld was instrumental in uncovering the alleged misconduct and bringing the defendants to justice.
Other Related Corruption Cases
In addition to the indictment of Kaneshiro and Mitsunaga, there have been other corruption cases in recent years in Hawaii. These include a Customs and Border Protection Officer being indicted for receiving bribes, a U.S. Border Patrol Agent being charged with attempting to distribute methamphetamine and receiving bribes, and a former Sheriff’s Captain’s accomplice being sentenced to prison for corruption offenses.
Contact Information
For more information about the case and related matters, individuals can contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California, or the FBI’s Honolulu Division. Additionally, the Department of Justice can also provide assistance and information on legal matters pertaining to the case.