Posted on: Tuesday, June 17, 2003

Abercrombie OKs movie deal

By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON — Rep. Neil Abercrombie has granted a producer rights to develop a film or television movie based on "Blood of Patriots," the 1996 political thriller the Hawai'i Democrat co-wrote with author Richard Hoyt.

The book was about the intrigue that follows a massive terrorist assault on the House of Representatives. Jerome Gary, best known as the co-producer for Arnold Schwarzenegger's bodybuilding film, "Pumping Iron," has a two-year option on the book. The director would be Joseph Zito, who directed "Friday the 13th — The Final Chapter" and "Red Scorpion."

The congressman has not reported any income from the deal but would receive payment if a movie were selected for production. Abercrombie cleared the contract with the House ethics committee.

Every year, lawmakers are required to publicly disclose their assets, income and debts. The amounts are in dollar ranges and exclude salary and the value of primary homes. The financial disclosure reports offer a look into the holdings of members of Congress, their spouses and dependents.

Abercrombie and his wife, Nancie Caraway, reported a credit-union account valued between $1,000 and $15,000 and a co-op apartment on Makiki Street worth between $15,000 and $50,000. The congressman reported $24,872 in pension income from the state of Hawai'i.

Abercrombie also accepted two paid trips, to Orange County, Calif., from a letter carriers association in May, and to Maryland from the Seafarers International Union in September.

Sen. Dan Inouye, D-Hawai'i, and his wife, Margaret, disclosed savings and investments worth $780,000 to $1.6 million. They earned between $20,200 and $66,200 in income from the investments last year. The Inouyes also own a 3-acre vacant lot in Fern Forest valued between $1,000 and $15,000, and an investment valued under $1,000 in In Your Eye LLC, a music Web site started by their son, Ken.

Inouye reported $1,161 in pension income from the Hawai`i Employees Retirement System and $927 in book royalties from Simon & Schuster for his autobiography.

Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawai'i, and his wife, Millie, hold savings and investment plans valued between $106,000 and $343,000. They reported between $7,400 and $17,000 in income from the investments. Akaka also reported $12,816 in pension income from the Hawai'i Employees Retirement System.

An Alexandria, Va., condominium and a Akaka family estate account in Honolulu was valued between $200,000 and $500,000, and produced between $6,000 and $17,500 in rental and capital gains income. The couple also earned between $1,000 and $15,000 from the sale of Hawaiian Electric Industries stock last December.

Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawai'i, and his wife, Audrey, have between $195,000 and $500,000 in savings, investment and profit-sharing plans. They reported between $5,200 and $16,000 in income from the investments. Case also disclosed $28,000 in salary from the state Legislature and $54,941 from his share as partner in the law firm Carlsmith Ball LLP.