Group stresses it was 'victimized'

By Johnny Brannon
Advertiser Staff Writer

Manutahi, the Tahitian cultural group that was allegedly swindled by missing grand jury witness Lisa K. Otsuka, strongly distanced itself from Otsuka yesterday and stressed that the group was the victim in the case.

"Money was stolen from our children, and their families were victimized," Manutahi board of directors representative Belinda Miranda said at a news conference.

Otsuka, 32, has been subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury probing campaign contributions to Mayor Jeremy Harris and the awarding of city contracts.

She was released on bail after she was arrested for failing to appear before the grand jury on Sept. 5, but has yet to surrender or be arrested on the theft charge. Otsuka was also arrested in August on suspicion of money laundering, promoting prostitution, and operating an illegal business.

Otsuka was never a member of Manutahi, and it was never involved in any business she owned, Miranda said.

Otsuka was indicted on a second-degree theft charge last week for allegedly stealing several thousand dollars from a Manutahi fund-raising event she participated in over a year ago. Miranda said Otsuka had been introduced to the group and had offered to assist with the benefit.

Miranda said the group had borrowed money to replace what was stolen so that children could travel to a dance competition on Maui. She declined to answer any questions because the investigation is ongoing.

The theft was reported to police last year, but prosecutors did not pursue an indictment until investigators came across additional evidence while investigating how money donated to Harris' 2000 re-election campaign was spent.

Investigators want to know whether any campaign money went to Otsuka, who headed a nonprofit group that shared a mailing address with a consulting firm the campaign hired. Harris and his campaign have repeatedly denied any direct links to Otsuka.

Reach Johnny Brannon at jbrannon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.