Voting clerk among suspect Harris donors
By Johnny Brannon
Advertiser Staff Writer
One of five people accused Thursday of funneling illegal campaign contributions to Mayor Jeremy Harris is Hawai'i County's deputy clerk, whose responsibilities include overseeing Big Island elections.
Jay Mende, who was indicted by an O'ahu grand jury on two misdemeanor charges, took the $66,420-per-year position in mid-1992. He faces a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $2,000 fine for each count.
Hawai'i County Clerk Al Konishi said Mende formerly worked as a researcher in the county's legislative auditor office and had performed well as deputy clerk.
"He's really a sharp guy and a go-getter," said Konishi, who nominated Mende as deputy clerk, confirmed by the County Council.
Mende was charged with donating money to Harris under a false name and exceeding the $4,000 limit.
Konishi said the charges could create an awkward situation, given Mende's election duties, but he had not seen an official copy of the indictment or discussed the charges with Mende. He said it was too early to say whether the county needed to act.
Mende's office oversees the county elections division and all election activities, including voter registration, absentee voting, tabulating ballots and maintaining the voter register.
The division also acts as an agent for the state's Campaign Spending Commission and the Ethics Commission, compiling reports those agencies require.
"The seriousness of this is greater as the result of Mr. Mende's position and the specific charges," said County Council vice chairman J. Curtis Tyler.
He said Mende did a good job overseeing the last election and should be presumed innocent for now. "I think it would be prudent for each of us who consider the matter to get additional information," Tyler said.
If Mende is found guilty, the situation "would merit very serious consideration" by the council, he said.
Mende did not return calls to his office yesterday, and his attorney could not be reached.
Also indicted on misdemeanor charges were Mende's mother, Masae, and three others from O'ahu: John Adversalo, Daniel K. Rosario and Kenneth Sakai.
Mende's brother, Donn Mende, was indicted with Sakai and three others on similar charges earlier this month. They have yet to be arraigned.
Prosecutors say the latest charges show a network of illegal campaign contributions to Harris stretched to the Neighbor Islands.
Nine others from O'ahu have been fined after pleading no contest to similar charges since a wide-ranging investigation began nearly two years ago. Dozens of others have paid fines to settle noncriminal complaints.
Jay Mende is the second public official to face criminal charges stemming from illegal campaign contributions to Harris. Former Honolulu police commissioner Leonard Leong pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor earlier this month and later resigned.
A third public official, Honolulu community services director Mike Amii, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor theft this year for instructing a City Hall staffer to do campaign work for Harris during office hours.
Harris' attorney has said the mayor never solicited or knowingly accepted illegal campaign contributions and does not condone wrongdoing.
Reach Johnny Brannon at jbrannon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.
