SHOPO Statement on Federal Indictment of Three Honolulu Officials

News Release from SHOPO, Jan 12, 2022

Honolulu (HI) – Today, federal criminal indictments were handed down against former city managing director Roy Amemiya, former Corporation Counsel Donna Leong, and former Honolulu Police Commission Chair Max Sword accusing the three of conspiring to “embezzle, steal, obtain by fraud and otherwise without authority” taxpayer dollars to fund a payout made to former Honolulu police Chief Louis Kealoha. Kealoha has previously been convicted for his role in this fraudulent episode and is currently serving a 7-year sentence in a federal prison.

Below is a statement on this matter from State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers President, Robert “Bobby” Cavaco:

 “These federal indictments demonstrate no one is above the law and that Honolulu taxpayers deserve justice for being defrauded by these so-called leaders. Our police department is incredibly understaffed and there are not enough patrol officers now to try and keep our neighborhoods safe. For these accused felons to have taken money budgeted to hire more police officers and use it to pay off a failed former police chief is sickening.”

Robert Cavaco, President, SHOPO

###

The State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO) represents over 2,600 police officers in the State of Hawaii. Our officers serve in the Honolulu Police Department, Hawaii County Police Department, Maui County Police Department, and Kaua’i County Police Department.