Witness in Harris case turns herself in

By Johnny Brannon
Advertiser Staff Writer

A woman who failed to appear last week before an investigative grand jury probing Mayor Jeremy Harris' political campaign turned herself into authorities on Monday after prosecutors secured a $10,000 contempt of court warrant.

Lisa K. Otsuka, 32, was later freed on bail and will appear before the grand jury when it reconvenes next month, said her attorney, Michael Green. But she may invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and refuse to testify unless prosecutors grant her immunity, he said.

"She'll be there. If she's not, she'll lose her lawyer," Green said. "It's likely she'll take the Fifth."

Investigators have inquired whether Otsuka received any money from Harris' campaign, and whether the campaign's expenses were accurately reflected in expenditure reports it filed with the state. The reports show no contributions by or payments to Otsuka.

Chris Parsons, attorney for Harris' campaign, said he did not know Otsuka and did not believe she had played any role in the campaign or received any payments.

"I don't know what her connection to this case might be," he said.

Green would not say what prosecutors had asked Otsuka in a previous interview, and he said he did not know whether she knew Harris.

The mayor indicated through a spokeswoman that he doesn't know Otsuka. "He says the name Lisa Otsuka does not sound familiar to him," spokeswoman Carol Costa said.

Harris campaign co-chairman B. Rick Tsujimura said he did not know Otsuka either.

The grand jury is reviewing evidence about contributions to Harris' re-election campaign and whether any city contracts were awarded in exchange for contributions. Harris and his campaign have denied wrongdoing.

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