Posted at 6 p.m., Thursday, June 28, 2001

Mirikitani's criminal case goes to jury

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

A federal jury will begin deliberations tomorrow morning in the bribery case against city Councilman Andy Mirikitani and his girlfriend Sharron Bynum.

The panel listened to day-long closing arguments today from a federal prosecutor and lawyers for the couple. Mirkitani is accused of giving two aides nearly $26,600 in bonuses in exchange for them paying him or his campaign fund about $6,600. Bynum is charged with helping him in the alleged bribery scheme.

If convicted, Mirikitani must leave his council position upon sentencing and faces a possible prison term.

The jury was sent home from federal Judge Helen Gillmor's courtroom at about 5:20 p.m.