Posted at 1:54 p.m., Thursday, January 17, 2008
Blackmailer in Lingle ex-aide's case released from jail
Associated Press
HONOLULU — The man who blackmailed Gov. Linda Lingle's former chief of staff over his relationship with a woman in the Philippines has been released, leaving several unanswered questions about the case.Officials now confirm that Rajdata Patkar was released last month and has left the United States.
Patkar, who is from Mumbai, India, was held at the Federal Detention Center after his extradition from Japan and admission of guilt in the blackmail of Bob Awana.
Patkar's departure without talking to news media leaves questions surrounding details about Awana, who had been the governor's campaign manager and was her top aide overseeing all state agencies before he resigned June 29 after the extortion became public.
