The Kauai Police Commission is “contemplating initiating a separate administrative review of the allegations, independent of the FBI’s investigation” in allegations of police corruption made by a Kauai Police Department sergeant. At their regular meeting last Friday, the five-member board
The Kauai Police Commission is “contemplating initiating a separate administrative review of the allegations, independent of the FBI’s investigation” in allegations of police corruption made by a Kauai Police Department sergeant.
At their regular meeting last Friday, the five-member board passed a resolution supporting Mayor Bryan Baptiste in his decision to ask the FBI to investigate allegations of police corruption made by Sgt. Mark Begley in a recent civil suit, according to a statement issued by the county Monday.
Commission chairman Stanton Pa said the commission is awaiting approval from the county Department of Finance to send out bids to hire an off-island investigator.
The step is to prevent conflicts of interest between Kauai investigators who are ex-KPD officers, Pa said.
The police commission’s request for funds to hire an independent investigator was denied earlier this month, but the commission has filed a petition for reconsideration.
Pa said he wasn’t sure how much would be spent on sending out bids and ultimately hiring an investigator. Alvin Honda, budget administrator, did not immediately return phone calls.
Sgt. Mark Begley filed a complaint April 8 in federal court in Honolulu. Begley stated that Police Chief George Freitas did not act on allegations that KPD Vice Lt. Martin Curnan was involved with an organized crime group. Begley also alleges he was assaulted by Curnan and one of Curnan’s relatives May 17, 2002 which resulted in a permanent brain injury.
Kauai counsel Mark Zenger and Donna Richards and Honolulu attorney Christopher S. Bouslog have allowed the county an extension to file a response, as Bouslog said earlier that they plan to file an amended complaint that will outline other facts in the case.
The county is hiring special counsel, most likely John Komeiji and Michael McGuigan, both from Honolulu.
The county attorney’s office has not yet formalized the contracts, according to county spokeswoman Cyndi Ozaki. The issue is not on the agenda for this week’s council meeting.
Staff Writer Kendyce Manguchei can be reached at mailto:kmanguchei@pulitzer.net or 245-3681 (ext. 252).
