Harris' aide fined in theft of 'city time'
By David Waite
Advertiser Courts Writer
A member of Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris' cabinet pleaded no contest in Honolulu District Court yesterday to misdemeanor theft for instructing his secretary to file campaign spending reports on "city time."
But Michael Amii was granted a chance by District Judge Clarence Pacarro to have his criminal case dismissed if he stays out of trouble for a year. He must also pay the city $195 and pay a $250 fine. In addition, Amii must pay $50 to the state's Criminal Victim Compensation Fund.
AMII
Amii, director of the city Department of Community Services, remains on the job.
The charge against Amii was one result of an 18-month investigation into alleged campaign irregularities involving Harris and members of his campaign organization. The investigation has focused on whether companies, architectural and engineering firms in particular, made campaign contributions to Harris and were rewarded with contracts for their services.
Harris and his lawyers have repeatedly denied that such an arrangement existed.
Amii was arrested almost a year ago on suspicion of felony theft related to alleged campaign work for Harris on city time, but not charged until last week and only then with the single misdemeanor count.
Harris yesterday said Amii's "actions were against my city policy and I don't condone them," but also praised Amii.
He said attorneys had told him that Amii was pleading no contest to a misdemeanor for having his secretary spend what amounts to three minutes a week between 1997 and 2001 on campaign activity during the work day. He said the prosecutor contended it amounted to theft of city time, totaling 10 hours over a four-year period.
"Mike Amii has served this community for over 25 years in social services, putting in 10 to 12 hours per day, often working seven days a week as the director of the Department of Community Services."
City Deputy Prosecutor Randal Lee, who is heading the ongoing Harris probe, yesterday said Amii instructed "a subordinate employee" to fill out campaign reimbursement forms for personal funds Amii had spent on the Harris campaign.
The worker filled out the forms related to the Harris campaign organization between Oct. 9, 1997, and Oct. 18, 2001, Lee said.
"Ten hours of time spread over four years may not sound like a lot, but whenever someone uses an employee to do something and knows that what they are asking is wrong, that is illegal," Lee said.
Amii and his lawyer, Miles Furutani, did not respond to requests to comment on Amii's no-contest plea. The prosecutor's office said that no plea agreement was involved and that there was no requirement that Amii cooperate in the Harris probe or that he testify against other members of Harris' campaign organization should they be charged with wrongdoing.
Lee would not say if he is close to bringing formal charges against anyone else.
Reach David Waite at dwaite@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8030.
