Mirikitani's federal theft trial to begin today

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer

Honolulu City Councilman Andy Mirikitani today goes on trial on federal felony charges including theft, bribery and extortion.

Federal prosecutors say the 45-year-old attorney is the highest-ranking elected official in Hawai'i to be indicted on federal felony charges while in office. Mirikitani denies the allegations and said he's confident he'll be vindicated.

Mirikitani stands accused of paying bonuses of nearly $26,600 to two former employees in exchange for their kicking back $6,884 — after taxes — to him and to his campaign.

He and his girlfriend, Sharron Bynum, were indicted by a federal grand jury in November. The charges against Mirikitani include wire fraud, theft, bribery and extortion; Bynum was named as an "aider and abettor" in the alleged theft, extortion and bribery.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Seabright is prosecuting. Defense attorney John Edmunds is representing Mirikitani, and deputy public defender William Domingo is representing Bynum.

Bynum, 52, is also a city employee, working as a property manager in the city Department of Facility Maintenance.

Mirikitani represents the Manoa, Makiki, McCully, Tantalus, Pawa'a and Kewalo communities. First elected in 1990 as a Democrat, he was re-elected in 1994 and 1998 after council races became nonpartisan.

He is best known for his public crusade against strip clubs, hostess bars, X-rated video stores and, most recently, violent video games.