Prosecutor: Greed fueled Hawaii power couple's schemes
A special U.S. prosecutor says a powerful Hawaii law enforcement couple used a secret police force of hand-picked officers in a blatant abuse of power to enrich themselves.
A trial opened Wednesday and continues Thursday in what's been called the state's biggest public corruption case.
Retired Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and former deputy city prosecutor Katherine Kealoha are accused of stealing money from her uncle and grandmother to fund the couple's lavish lifestyle. Prosecutors say they framed the uncle for a crime he didn't commit to keep him from revealing the fraud.
Former Honolulu deputy city prosecutor Katherine Kealoha, right, walks into federal court in Honolulu on Wednesday, May 22, 2019. A trial for what has been described as the biggest corruption case in Hawaii history began Wednesday for Kealoha and her husband, former police chief Louis Kealoha. The two are accused of conspiring to frame Katherine Kealoha's uncle for a crime he did not commit. The Kealoha's were indicted on charges including conspiracy and obstruction. Federal authorities began investigating the two in 2015 and both stepped down from their jobs as the probe deepened. (AP PhotoCaleb Jones)
Special U.S. Attorney Michael Wheat says Katherine Kealoha used money from her now-99-year-old grandmother's reverse mortgage on exotic cars and expensive concert tickets.
Her defense attorney says what happened to the money is simply a family misunderstanding.
Former Honolulu police chief Louis Kealoha, right, walks into federal court in Honolulu on Wednesday, May 22, 2019. A trial for what has been described as the biggest corruption case in Hawaii history began Wednesday for Kealoha and his former city prosecutor wife, Katherine Kealoha. The two are accused of conspiring to frame Katherine Kealoha's uncle for a crime he did not commit. The Kealoha's were indicted on charges including conspiracy and obstruction. Federal authorities began investigating the two in 2015 and both stepped down from their jobs as the probe deepened. (AP PhotoCaleb Jones)