Mirikitani says he won't resign
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer
City Councilman Andy Mirikitani said yesterday he will not resign from office despite growing political pressure to step down following his conviction last week on bribery, theft and other corruption charges.
The chairman of the City Council responded by saying that he hopes Mirikitani does not attend Council meetings.
Mirikitani, a 45-year-old attorney, was convicted last Tuesday in federal court of offering two former aides hefty bonuses if they kicked back a share of the money to him. He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 4.
Yesterday marked his first public comments since his conviction.
"At this time, it is not my intention to resign from my position on the City Council," Mirikitani wrote in a statement released by his office. "At this juncture, I do intend to resign from my committee assignments."
State law requires someone convicted of a felony to step down upon sentencing.
Mirikitani wrote: "As I have over the past 12 years, I will continue to serve my constituents, handle all constituent concerns, and voice constituents' concerns at council and committee meetings."
His statement concluded: "I wish to thank all of my friends and supporters who have expressed their support during this difficult period."
Council Chairman Jon Yoshimura said he talked to Mirikitani on the phone yesterday and urged him to resign. Yoshimura said he hopes Mirikitani does not attend tomorrow's City Council meeting.
"If he exercises that right, that has the potential for discrediting a lot of what we do here," Yoshimura said.
Yoshimura said he believes Mirikitani won't step down for two primary reasons. "He has not yet accepted the jury's verdict," he said. "I think he's in need of a paycheck."
As a council member, Mirikitani earns $42,500 a year.
Yoshimura said if Mirikitani is the swing vote on a 5-to-4 vote on the council it could present a problem. "I think it's more of a perception problem," he said. "When you're dealing in politics, perception is reality a lot of times."
"I think it will be difficult to conduct business with Andy present," Yoshimura said. But he said he will try to do whatever can be done to ensure that he doesn't disrupt council business.
Mirikitani's partner, Sharron Bynum, was convicted of theft and extortion charges but found not guilty of bribery. The case cost her a city job as a property manager working on contract at $45,000 a year.
City Corporation Counsel David Arakawa yesterday said the city will not renew her contract with the city Department of Facility Maintenance. The contract expired June 30.
Gov. Ben Cayetano said yesterday that the conviction hurts everyone in office as it further erodes public confidence in government officials. Should Mirikitani resign? "That's what I would do if I was in his situation," Cayetano replied.
"I think it's a real tragedy for Andy personally and his family," Cayetano told reporters yesterday. "But also, it's a tragedy for all of us who are in government service. That does not help to instill confidence in the public in your public servants."
Although state law doesn't require an elected official to resign until sentencing, Cayetano said: "What's unsaid is that it's up to the person who has been affected by the court decision to decide whether he should resign or not."
Advertiser City Hall Writer Robbie Dingeman can be reached at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.
