Judge won't dismiss charges against Mirikitani

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser City Hall Writer

A federal judge yesterday declined to dismiss two of six federal criminal counts against City Councilman Andy Mirikitani.

U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor made the ruling after hearing a defense request for dismissal of theft and bribery counts.

Mirikitani stands accused of paying two former employees nearly $26,600 in bonuses in exchange for their kicking back — after taxes — $6,884 to him and his campaign. Defense attorney John Edmunds argued that federal funding to the city is not enough to justify federal criminal charges against Mirikitani. "The government is trying very hard here to reach," Edmunds said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Seabright disagreed with Edmunds, who cited cases involving government workers in other cities. Seabright said the comparison is faulty.

"He's not a janitor, he's a councilman," Seabright said.

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

The trial is scheduled for June 5.