No verdict yet in Mirikitani case

Advertiser Staff

A federal jury will resume deliberations Monday in the federal corruption case against City Councilman Andy Mirikitani after spending yesterday in deliberations without reaching a verdict.

Mirikitani, 45, is accused of theft, bribery, extortion, wire fraud and witness tampering. His girlfriend, Sharron Bynum, is accused of aiding and abetting him in the theft, bribery and extortion cases.

The jurors at one point yesterday were questioned by U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor about whether they had read or seen news accounts of the case to determine if they could still be impartial. She asked them not to watch television and to avoid news accounts.

Two former Mirikitani aides, Cindy McMillan and Jonn Serikawa, testified in the trial that Mirikitani gave them nearly $26,600 in bonuses in exchange for their kicking back $6,600, about half the bonus after taxes. Mirikitani denies linking any bonus to campaign or cash contributions.

Mirikitani represents Council District V, which includes the communities of Manoa, Mo'ili'ili, McCully, Tantalus, Makiki, Pawa'a, Ala Moana and Kewalo. If Mirikitani is convicted, state law would force him to step down upon sentencing. Court officials say that if he is convicted, sentencing would take place in November.