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FBI Raids Liquor Commission Offices In Bribery Probe

Investigation Focuses On Free Meals For Lenient Treatment At Bars

POSTED: 4:51 pm HST January 21, 2005

Less than three years after a federal bribery probe resulted in convictions of eight Honolulu Liquor Commission investigators, KITV 4 News has learned that the FBI has launched another criminal investigation of the agency.

Once again, the commission's night shift investigators is under scrutiny.

Island Television News
KITV Investigates
Several FBI agents went to the 711 Kapiolani Blvd. offices of the Honolulu Liquor Commission on Tuesday armed with a search warrant, sources said. They asked for activity reports and timesheets of the commission's night shift investigators from May of last year to the present, according to those familiar with the probe.

The FBI also requested violation reports and files on five bars and nightclubs. Sources said the extortion probe focuses on whether some nightshift investigators extorted free or discounted food from the bars, in exchange for lenient treatment.

The best-known bar about which the FBI asked is Ocean Club at Restaurant Row.

The feds also pulled records on Club Niagara along Kapiolani Boulevard near Ala Moana Center and Club Sin City on Hekaha Street in Waimalu. The FBI obtained Liquor Commission records about the now-closed Volcano's Nightclub along Nimitz Highway and records on Porky's Sports Pub and Grill along Maluniu Avenue in Kailua.

Porky's owner told KITV 4 News investigative reporter Keoki Kerr that the FBI interviewed her on Tuesday, the same day that agents raided Liquor Commission offices. She told KITV 4 News she gives free snacks like peanuts, tofu and soy beans to all of her customers, including liquor investigators. However, Porky's owner said she does not offer investigators free meals, sashimi and other more-expensive food items.

Liquor Control Administrator Wally Weatherwax released a statement saying his office "has not received any complaints" from establishments "alleging any inappropriate, criminal or corrupt practices by its investigators."

Weatherwax said the Liquor Commission is cooperating in the investigation. He said his office has asked the Honolulu Police Department to help in the probe of possible wrongdoing there, even though it's clear a federal investigation is well under way.
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