Posted at 5:08 p.m., Friday, October 27, 2006
Former airport officials convicted in scam
By Ken Kobayashi
Advertiser Staff Writer
Former airport officials Dennis Hirokawa and Richard Okada and private contractors Michael Furukawa and Wesley Uemura were found guilty of all the felony charges against them.
The lengthy trial in U. S. District Judge David Ezra's courtroom opened Sept. 26, but the federal jury needed only about seven hours of deliberations yesterday and today to reach the verdicts.
Federal prosecutors estimated that the scam cost taxpayers more than $2.5 million.
The four men showed no emotion as the court clerk announced the guilty verdicts.
Ezra scheduled sentencing for Jan. 15.
The judge permitted the four to remain free on bond pending sentencing, when each faces possible prison terms for their convictions.
Reach Ken Kobayashi at kkobayashi@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8030.
Reach Ken Kobayashi at kkobayashi@honoluluadvertiser.com.