Jones' stationery use called improper

By Jim Dooley
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i head football coach June Jones should not have used official UH stationery when he wrote a letter last month on behalf of convicted felon Sukamto Sia, university vice president Paul Costello said yesterday.

And Costello distanced the university from Jones' suggestion that Sia could conduct lectures for UH students instead of going to prison for a felony fraud conviction.

"Mr. Sia will not be conducting lectures for university students," Costello said.

Costello said he spoke with Jones yesterday morning after The Advertiser disclosed the contents of Jones' Feb. 13 letter to U.S. District Judge David Ezra.

Sia's sentencing on bankruptcy and wire fraud convictions was continued until this morning, after government and defense attorneys raised objections related to his pre-sentencing report.

Ezra planned to resume the hearing today at 9 a.m. Sia faces up to 40 months in federal prison and fines of $1.5 million.

Costello said it was "an inappropriate use of the university letterhead to express (Jones') personal views."

Jones said yesterday he didn't know the letter would be "public domain."

It was included in a large sheaf of material Sia's lawyers submitted to Ezra in arguing for a reduced sentence.

But the coach acknowledged that his use of the official UH letterhead "was not in good judgment because it was a personal feeling."

Jones said in the letter he met Sia about a year ago and has become close friends with him.

"I have a lot of friends," he said yesterday, "and when friends are in need, I help them."

Advertiser staff writer Frank Cho contributed to this report.