Borges wins approval to serve on police panel
By Johnny Brannon
Advertiser Staff Writer
The City Council unanimously approved Mayor Jeremy Harris' appointment of entertainer Jimmy Borges to the Police Commission yesterday after Borges assured that his marriage to Harris' executive assistant would not impact his judgment.
Advertiser library photo
Councilman Charles Djou said the guarantee was important because Harris' campaign finances remain under investigation by police and prosecutors. Djou questioned whether Borges could remain unbiased "should you need to investigate senior members of the administration," especially since another member of the commission, Leonard Leong, has been charged with making illegal campaign donations to Harris.
Singer Jimmy Borges said his link to Mayor Jeremy Harris won't affect his judgment.
Borges said he could not comment on Leong's situation because he had not reviewed all information about the case, but that his wife's position would not be a factor in his decision-making.
"I can promise you I will be an unbiased person in that regard," Borges said.
Administration spokeswoman Carol Costa said some of Djou's questioning was unnecessary because police commissioners don't have the authority to directly investigate city officials.
"Djou certainly knows that and should not have made such an incorrect statement," she said.
The 7-member commission hires and may remove the chief of police, decides whether public money should be used to defend officers accused of wrongdoing, and reviews citizen allegations of police misconduct.
Costa said Harris has known Borges more than 15 years. His wife, Vicki, joined the administration in 1994 as secretary to the building superintendent, and moved to the mayor's office in 1996, Costa said.
Leong is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow. Harris has said he will not ask him to step down while the misdemeanor charge is pending.
Reach Johnny Brannon at jbrannon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.
