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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, August 24, 2006

HPD worker prosecution can proceed

By Ken Kobayashi
Advertiser Courts Writer

A lawyer for Honolulu Police Department civilian employee Sharon Black has lost a bid for a court order to halt the criminal proceedings against her.

Black's attorney, Mark Beatty, contended that the criminal case was in retaliation for a $612,000 settlement five years ago of her sexual harassment lawsuit against high-ranking police officers.

But Circuit Judge Gary Chang yesterday denied the request for the restraining order, indicating that a civil judge should not interfere with the ongoing criminal case.

The judge also denied Beatty's request for another restraining order to halt police from conducting administrative proceedings against Black.

City Deputy Prosecutor Christopher Van Marter opposed the requests.

Black was indicted by an O'ahu grand jury this month on charges of unauthorized use of city computers, fourth-degree theft and tampering with a government record. She is accused of exceeding her authority to use a computer at the city medical examiner's office last year.

She has pleaded not guilty. Her trial is scheduled for the week of Oct. 16.

Reach Ken Kobayashi at kkobayashi@honoluluadvertiser.com.