A Honolulu police officer — on trial for "theft" and "tampering with government records" — was found not guilty this afternoon on all thirteen counts.
This all had to do with whether or not the officer was entitled to get reimbursed for mileage when he had to testify in cases.
Officer Eric Hokama hugged his attorney after the Judge announced he was acquitted of all charges, including one count of theft in the 3rd degree.
The prosecution tried to prove that Hokama stole $165 between December 2010 and January 2011, by collecting money for miles traveled to and from court in his personal car.
"There has to be some written policy showing that if you are on duty, you can’t collect witness fees for mileage, or on duty in Honolulu. There’s a number of witnesses who testified that that was their understanding of the policy, but there’s no evidence to show what the policy actually was," said Judge Russel Nagata, Honolulu District Court.
"I believe we put forth enough evidence to prove the charges against Mr. Hokama. The Judge I thought had an unusual interpretation of the law in that he required there be written policy," said Darryl Miyahira, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.
HPD’s written policy has since been updated to spell out exactly what’s allowed and what isn’t.
As for the 12 counts of tampering with government records, Hokama’s attorney said all her client did was sign his name on the documents acknowledging he received the money.
"There’s no falsity. He did receive the amounts listed, $16.45, various amounts, but the Court can’t see how that’s a false entry," said Nagata.
During the investigation, Hokama was placed on restricted duty, then was terminated, and recently got his job back with restrictions.
"He’s very, very happy. He’s been going through a lot with this. He was unemployed for a number of months, seven months, and he only wants to be an HPD officer," said Megan Kau, Hokama’s attorney.
Officer Hokama had been a beat patrolman with District 1, which includes Downtown and Chinatown.
He joined HPD in 2007.
See the original article at: KHON2 Developing Stories
