Judge denies request for ex-senator's trip

Advertiser Staff

A Circuit Court judge yesterday refused to let former state Sen. Marshall Ige travel to Canada for unspecified business, but indicated he could make the request again if he comes up with more details.

Ige faces theft, money laundering and attempted tax evasion charges. A request to leave the jurisdiction previously was denied after Ige revealed he had traveled to Taiwan and Hong Kong without court knowledge.

Deputy Public Defender Ed Harada said Ige works as a business consultant. But Harada said he could not offer specifics on the proposed trip to Canada because the travel was tentative.

"This is normally not a problem ... if there is an itinerary submitted," Judge Sandra Simms said.

Deputy Attorney General Kurt Spohn objected to the request, saying, "We don't even know what this business is — I don't even know who Mr. Ige's employer is."

Outside the courtroom, Harada declined to say for whom Ige serves as a business consultant.

Ige's trial is scheduled May 14 related to his dealings with a Beverly Hills couple who wanted their daughter's criminal record erased and a Punalu'u farmer who testified he was charged advance rent on land with a lease being terminated.

Ige, free on supervised release, lost his Senate seat representing Kane'ohe and Kailua in last year's primary election.