Posted on: Thursday, May 20, 2004

Suit charges Carlisle retaliation

Advertiser Staff

An investigator with the city prosecutor's office who was the object of a police internal affairs investigation late last year for storing a large amount of ammunition owned by the prosecutor's office at his Mililani home is suing Prosecutor Peter Carlisle.

The suit by Craig Whang claims Carlisle and two others retaliated against him for voicing concerns about the potential for workplace violence.

Also named in the lawsuit filed on behalf of Whang by attorney Michael Green on Tuesday were Iwalani White, first deputy prosecuting attorney, and Robert K.W. Lee Jr., chief investigator for the prosecutor's office.

The lawsuit claims Whang was essentially demoted after he submitted a memo saying he had concerns about what he believed was Lee's propensity toward workplace violence. Whang has been on work-related stress leave since Nov. 14, 2003, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit contends that Carlisle, White and Lee retaliated against Whang, violated provisions of the state whistleblower's protection act and engaged in wanton and willful misconduct against him.

Carlisle, White and Lee could not be reached immediately to comment on the lawsuit which seeks an unspecified amount of monetary damages.