Mirikitani asks for public to pay for lawyer in his appeal

By David Waite
Advertiser Courts Writer

Former City Councilman Andy Mirikitani, criticized for his $1,300-a-month city pension despite his conviction earlier this year on felony public corruption charges, asked yesterday that he be assigned a lawyer at public expense to appeal the conviction.

Mirikitani retired earlier this month after he was convicted of theft, bribery and related charges that stemmed from his paying two of his City Council staff members hefty bonuses in exchange for campaign contributions and cash.

He was sentenced Dec. 6 to four years and three months in prison. His new wife, Sharron Bynum, who will receive medical and dental benefits as part of Mirikitani's pension package, was sentenced to a year and nine months in prison for aiding and abetting Mirikitani in the kickback scheme.

Federal Magistrate Judge Leslie Kobayashi said Mirikitani appears to qualify for a court-appointed lawyer, on the basis of his "pauper" status.

A financial affidavit filled out by Mirikitani said that he is no longer employed, that his only source of income is the $1,300-a-month pension, that he and Bynum have only about $100 between them and that his outstanding debts total almost $870,000.

Kobayashi said she would need more time to review the matter. Since Mirikitani has already filed an appeal with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the decision whether to provide him with a publicly financed attorney probably rests with the appeals court.

Reach David Waite at 525-8030 or dwaite@honoluluadvertiser.com