Keli'ikipi, others face theft charges

By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer

Keli'ikipi is prohibited from practicing with the team and participating in any team function, although spring practice ended Saturday.

The team reports for training camp Aug. 8. Keli'ikipi, who will retain his scholarship, will be a senior in the fall. He is allowed to attend school.

"We are aware of the situation and will follow the code of conduct as written in the UH Student-Athlete handbook," UH athletic director Herman Frazier said in a statement. "The violation falls under the category of 'major misconduct' and mandates an immediate suspension from both practice and competition."

A man who identified himself as Keli'ikipi's father yesterday said his son would not comment, but acknowledged that it was his son who was charged.

If convicted of second-degree theft, West Keli-'ikipi faces a prison term of up to five years.

"He's innocent until proven guilty," head football coach June Jones said. "I feel for his family because they have to go through this. Hopefully it'll get resolved and corrected before the season starts. We'll support him as best we can. It's a school policy, when these things happen, to take this course of action."

Keli'ikipi and his brother, Winston, were among seven charged in the indictment. Keli'ikipi and his brother turned themselves in at 7:50 p.m. on Friday.

West Keli'ikipi was charged with second-degree theft and his brother was charged with first-degree theft.

West Keli'ikipi's bail was set at $1,000 and his brother's bail was set at $5,000.

Both posted bonds for their release Friday night.

According to the City Prosecutor's office, Keli'ikipi was allegedly part of a scam that bilked the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan out of more than $20,000. The indictment covers the period between Feb. 26, 2002, and May 22, 2002.

The indictment says Shantel Santa Isabel obtained unauthorized control over more than $20,000 belonging to Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc., resulting in a first-degree theft charge against her.

Santa Isabel also was indicted on a charge of first-degree computer fraud.

Isabel obtained control of several Kaiser accounts and was able to take money from them and credit her personal charge card and the charge cards of others, according to the prosecutor's office. Isabel devised a way to credit accounts without authorization, the office said.

While the total amount of money taken has not been disclosed, the prosecutor's office said it represented a "substantial financial loss" to Kaiser.

The indictment also charges Tasha N.K. Black and Jared P. Santiago of second-degree theft, and Gordon Keli'ikipi and Colleen Spencer of first-degree theft. Santiago and Black turned themselves in to Sheriff's deputies yesterday, according to the prosecutor's office.

Gordon Keli'ikipi is out of town and arranging his surrender, the prosecutor's office said.

West Keli'ikipi played in 10 games last season, starting six at running back.

He gained 247 yards on 37 carries and scored six times. He also caught 20 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown before missing the remainder of the season after hurting his knee in a 24-14 road loss to Nevada.

He is recovering from the injury and did not participate in the recently completed spring practice.

Advertiser Staff Writers Stephen Tsai and David Waite contributed to this report.

Reach Peter Boylan at 535-8110 or pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.