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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Honolulu officers plead not guilty in corruption case

By Jennifer Sinco Kelleher Associated Press

HONOLULU – A Honolulu police lieutenant, an officer and a retired major have pleaded not guilty to charges alleging they helped former Chief Louis Kealoha and his deputy prosecutor wife frame a man.

Officer Minh Hung “Bobby” Nguyen and Lt. Derek Hahn are charged with conspiracy and other charges. Retired Maj. Gordon Shiraishi is charged with obstruction.

Prosecutors allege they helped frame a relative of the Kealohas with the theft of their mailbox to discredit him in a financial dispute.

The Kealohas previously pleaded not guilty.

After Tuesday’s arraignment, Nguyen’s attorney Randall Hironaka asked to speak behind closed doors about undescribed personal information.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard Puglisi closed the hearing to the public.

Reporters tried to object to the closure but court officials said the proceeding could not be interrupted.