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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 10:39 a.m., Thursday, April 20, 2006

Sixth man indicted in federal gambling case

Advertiser Staff

A federal grand jury yesterday indicted a sixth man in connection with an alleged organized-crime and gambling operation.

Faimafili Lulu was charged with three counts of racketeering and accused of participating in an illegal gambling operation, extortion and robbery. He is accused of taking part in the extortion and robbery of a rival illegal gambling house in Pearl City, court documents said.

In February, a grand jury indicted four others in the case, including two men accused of killing two men and wounding another at the Pali Golf Course in January 2004. Rodney Joseph Jr. and Kevin "Poncho" Gonsalves, who are awaiting trial on the murder charges on the state level, were charged with racketeering and murder.

Also indicted were Kai Ming Wang, also known as "A Fook," who is accused of being the ringleader of the gambling operation, and Siaosi Alapati, accused of participating in the operation.

In March, Ethan Motta was indicted on racketeering charges relating to the Pali shootings. Motta, Joseph and Gonsalves remain in federal custody and their trial is set for August.

Federal prosecutors have yet to decide if they will seek the death penalty or life in prison against the three men.

Wang, who also is in custody, has pleaded not guilty and is expected to ask for separate trials from his co-defendants. Wang is not charged with the Pali shootings.

Alapati is free on a signature bond.