Posted on: Saturday, June 4, 2005

Ex-liquor inspector sentenced to prison

By Ken Kobayashi
Advertiser Courts Writer

The last of eight former Honolulu Liquor Commission inspectors charged in a racketeering and bribery case was sentenced yesterday to a prison term of 22 months.

Kenneth L. Wright, 49, was indicted by a federal grand jury in 2002, accused of accepting bribes of as much as $400,000 from about 45 hostess bars and strip clubs in exchange for not enforcing liquor laws.

Wright cooperated with federal prosecutors and was one of six who pleaded guilty.

Chief U.S. District Judge David Ezra rejected a request by Wright's attorney for home detention and imposed the 22-month term, which is similar to the sentences of 22 to 24 months given to five other defendants who cooperated.

Wright remains free on bond and was ordered to start serving his term July 18.

Still pending are appeals to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals by the two defendants who went to trial and another defendant who pleaded guilty but did not cooperate. They received prison terms ranging from three years and five months to five years and five months.

The case was described as the state's largest corruption case against a government agency prosecuted by federal authorities.

The FBI also has been conducting an investigation that included seizing documents from the commission's office this year. Federal officials declined to discuss the seizures.

Reach Ken Kobayashi at kkobayashi@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8030.