Posted on: Tuesday, October 1, 2002

Liquor inspector sues in whistleblowing case

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A Honolulu Liquor Commission inspector has filed a lawsuit under Hawai'i's Whistleblowers' Protection Act accusing commission officials of punishing him because he helped in an investigation that led to the federal indictment of eight fellow inspectors.

Charles Wiggins filed the federal lawsuit Friday contending that the city and the commission conspired to violate his civil rights and used intimidation to prevent him from cooperating with federal authorities.

But Wiggins cooperated, and on May 20, he testified before a federal grand jury, his suit said. Two days later, eight inspectors were indicted on bribery charges. All but three have pleaded guilty to at least one charge.

The lawsuit alleges that the defendants retaliated against him because of Wiggins' "unwillingness to condone criminal activities."

Those named as defendants included the city, the commission, commission chairman John Spierling, commission administrator Wallace Weatherwax, city worker's compensation administrator Thomas Riddle, and nine liquor control investigators, including eight who were indicted.

Weatherwax yesterday said he had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment. City attorneys could not be reached for comment.

The lawsuit, which was filed on Wiggins' behalf by attorney Tom Bush, seeks an undetermined amount in damages.

In May 1999, Wiggins was approached by an FBI special agent regarding corruption within the commission, the lawsuit said. Wiggins said he told his immediate supervisor, defendant Harvey Hiranaka, about the FBI request. Hiranaka told Wiggins to inform Weatherwax of the investigation and that Weatherwax would "watch out for us," the lawsuit said.

Soon after he talked with Weatherwax, the information was relayed to all of the commission investigators, the lawsuit said. Under those circumstances, Wiggins declined to take part in the investigation.

But in October 2000, he changed his mind, the suit said. During the investigation, the lawsuit said, several liquor control inspectors told Wiggins that anyone who "dared inform on the corrupt practices of the Liquor Commission could expect to be killed."

Because of the stress of the investigation, Wiggins filed for workers' compensation, but Riddle terminated the benefits in March despite a doctor's note that said Wiggins could not work, the lawsuit said.

In June, the city's Disability Compensation Division reversed Riddle's decision and reinstated worker's compensation benefits for Wiggins, the suit said.