Posted at 2:35 p.m., Thursday, June 21, 2001

Councilman Mirikitani defends self in federal trial

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Honolulu City Councilman Andy Mirikitani today took the stand at his trial in federal court, denying that he required a former aide to kickback a portion of bonuses that he gave the aide in 1999.

Mirikitani, a 45-year-old attorney, surprised many in the courtroom when he took the stand just 20 minutes into his defense.

His attorney John Edmunds called him and began questioning him this morning. When asked if he required part of the bonus money that he paid to his former council aide Jonn Serikawa to be returned to him, Mirikitani said "absolutely not.".

"I never asked him for a campaign contribution," Mirikitani said. "He never gave me any of the bonus money."

Mirikitani is on trial on charges of theft, bribery, extortion, wire fraud and witness tampering. His girlfriend, Sharron Bynum is accused of helping him obtain the alleged kickbacks.

Federal prosecutors describe Mirikitani as the highest-ranking elected official in Hawai'i to be indicted on federal felony charges while in office.

Mirikitani seemed nervous while on the stand and was chided by the judge twice, once for answering a question after the prosecution had objected and another time for not answering his own attorney's questions directly.

He is expected back on the stand tomorrow. Serikawa and another former Mirikitani aide have testified that the councilman gave them hefty bonuses in exchange for returning about half the money to the councilman or his campaign.