Posted on: Thursday, July 15, 2004

Two campaign-spending violators issued fines

Advertiser Staff

The state Campaign Spending Commission yesterday fined former Big Island Sen. David Matsuura $2,038 for using his campaign money to pay for a Japan trip in 2002.

Matsuura, who lost the 2002 primary election to Sen. Lorraine Inouye, took the trip with other legislators before the election, according to commission executive director Bob Watada.

The commission also fined former Honolulu Public Transit Authority chairman Amar Sappal $2,000 for making contributions under a false name to Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris and to former Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono.

Watada said Sappal, senior vice president of Carter & Burgess Inc. Hawai'i at the time, reimbursed his friend for a $4,000 contribution to Harris' 2000 re-election campaign and reimbursed his son for a $4,500 contribution to Hirono's 1998 re-election campaign.

Both Matsuura and Sappal signed conciliation agreements with the commission.