Posted on: Tuesday, February 11, 2003

Fired secretary suing police chief

By David Waite
Advertiser Courts Writer

The former private secretary to embattled Kaua'i Police Chief George Freitas is suing him, claiming Freitas fired her for making allegations against him.

The lawsuit, which was filed yesterday on behalf of Jacquelyn Tokashiki by attorney Clayton Ikei, says Freitas also removed her from her job because she also served as the secretary to the Kaua'i Police Commission, which processed the complaints of two Kaua'i police officers against Freitas.

Freitas was placed on paid leave in August 2001. The commission later issued Freitas letters of reprimand on two charges, citing the chief with allowing a civilian passenger to ride in his county vehicle while not on county business, and with yelling at a subordinate.

Freitas returned to his job on Jan. 7, 2002, according to the lawsuit.

At 7:35 a.m. on his first day back on the job, Freitas called Tokashiki into his office and ordered her to turn in her keys and remove her belongings, according to the lawsuit. Tokashiki had worked as a secretary to various Kaua'i police chief's since 1980, according to the lawsuit.

It says the abrupt termination violated Tokashiki's constitutional rights to free speech and due process. The lawsuit asks for $500,000 in damages as well as back pay and fringe benefits.

Freitas could not be reached last night to comment.