Hawai’i Supreme Court Order of Suspension of Christopher Woo

From Office of Disciplinary Council, October 18, 2019

Upon review of the April 23, 2019 petition to suspend Respondent Christopher S.B. Woo from the practice of law, pursuant to Rule 2.12A of the Rules of the Supreme Court of the State of Hawai’i (RSCH), filed by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC), this court’s May 6, 2019 order to show cause, the May 24, 2019 response filed by Respondent Woo, the May 29, 2019 reply from ODC, the September 13, 2019 status report filed by ODC, and the record in this matter, we conclude that the record demonstrates that Respondent Woo has failed to cooperate with ODC’s lawful inquiries into allegations of misconduct committed by him, warranting his immediate suspension from the practice of law, pursuant to RSCH Rule 2.12A(a). Therefore,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, pursuant to RSCH Rule 2.12A, Respondent Woo is suspended from the practice of law. This order is effective immediately and until further order of this court. …

read … Full Order

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HPD investigating reported kidnapping of attorney tied to Kealoha probe

HNN April 18, 2019: … Honolulu police are investigating the reported burglary and kidnapping of an attorney with ties to the Kealoha corruption probe.

Attorney Chris Woo told police his ex-girlfriend and two other men broke into his Waikiki apartment on Tuesday morning.

Woo claimed the suspects then forced him into his own car and drove around the island, police sources said.

Woo’s ex-girlfriend, Shaye Taylor, allegedly pulled out a gun and threatened him.

According to sources, she also tried to hit Woo’s current girlfriend with his car.

Woo eventually escaped, and the suspects fled.

Taylor was arrested the next day in Kapolei on suspicion of first-degree burglary, kidnapping, first-degree terroristic threatening and a contempt warrant.

Woo is tied to the federal corruption probe against the Kealohas. He once represented Jesse Ebersole, a Big Island firefighter who told the court he had a long term affair with Katherine Kealoha and said he lied to the federal grand jury to protect her and hide their romantic relationship….

Woo has had a series of run ins with law enforcement in the last year.

In June, the feds sent Woo a subpoena to appear before the grand jury regarding the Ebersole case, but Woo missed his scheduled appearance and he was arrested.

Then in July, the FBI wanted Woo’s cell phone and laptop, but he claimed they were stolen.

In September, Woo’s handgun was also used by a convicted felon during a HPD raid in Waikiki. Police say the suspect pointed the gun at officers. Woo had also reported the gun was stolen….

Woo told police that Shaye Taylor is not only a former client, she’s an ex girlfriend. He represented her as recently as February.

Woo’s law license has been suspended for non payment…

read … HPD investigating reported kidnapping of attorney tied to Kealoha probe

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Gun pointed at police during shooting is registered to embattled Honolulu attorney

HNN 9-24-18: …The loaded pistol Freddie Joe Whitmore allegedly pointed at Honolulu Police Officers last Thursday night is registered to attorney Christopher Woo, Hawaii News Now has learned.

Whitmore, 55, was shot several times and died at the hospital.

Woo did not report the Glock stolen, so police are now working to find out how it ended up in the hands of a convicted felon in a suspected drug house.

HPD was at the Century Center apartment to serve a narcotics warrant. Meth and heroin were recovered, sources say.

Woo was arrested in June for refusing to cooperate with the federal grand jury investigating Louis and Katherine Kealoha, the former police chief and deputy prosecutor, who were indicted on multiple public corruption related charges.

Woo represented firefighter Jesse Ebersole, who admitted to lying to that grand jury about a long term affair with Mrs. Kealoha in which he received cash and gifts….

In July, the FBI ordered Woo to bring his cell phone and laptop computer for examination after Ebersole told the feds that Mrs. Kealoha told him to lie to the grand jury and that they secretly met in Woo's office.

But instead of turning over his phone and laptop as ordered, Woo reported both items stolen….

read … Gun pointed at police during shooting is registered to embattled Honolulu attorney