Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1913-05-26
'LALAKEA TAKING
NO GREAT
CHANCES

Especial Star Bulletin Correspondence
HILO, Hawaii, May 23-Feaf of
criminal determination was the first
startling disclosure divulged in the
civil suit of the county, as plaintiff,
against T. K. sLalakea, former county
treasurer, for the recovery of the
payment of an unauthorized warrant
Tor S1S5. The trial was started yes
terday afternoon in the district court
and is one of the suits instituted by
the county as a result of the recon-
mendations of the Hawaii county in
yeStigation commissioners
Lalakea's case was called for trial
last Tuesday morning, but he appear
ed in court and said he had been un-
able to secure an attorney and the
case was postponed until yesterday.
Hearing of evidence was begun
with the understanding that the de-
fepse is to have two days, after the
plaintiffs testimony has bee ngiven,
in order to prepare for the defense.
W. H. Smith is representing Lalakea.
A general denial was entered to the
charge when Lalakea was called to
tie stand and he was asked to
testify as to the position he held in
March, 1908, that being the date of
the Illegal warrant issued.
He was shown the warrant in cues
ton and asked to identify it. 81 saw
it, when brought to my office" he
testified.
When he was askdOto identify the
signature of Mcguire he did So. But
when asked to identify his own sig
nature, which appeared on it as hav-
ing received the money, he said
through the Interpreter: Before /
answer, want to know if harm come
to MYSELF" The court instructed the
interpreter that he must explain to
him lio personal privilege in regard
10 refusing to testify about matter
that might incriminate himself.
Lalakea, after the question was
put a number of times in different
ways said: This case like that of
Mcguire before the grand jury. I
nave suspicious l might incriminate
myself,
County Clerk Kai was next called
10 testify as to the manner in which
records of claims and demand are
kept and passed upon by the board
of supervisors.
Evidence for the defense will like.
" be presented next Tuesday.
= During the week another suit was
filed against Lalakea for the recovery
Of 4 small sum of money and a SINH
lar one was also filed against
Charles Mcguire.
A number of former and present
copnty officials have been subpoenaed
10 appear before the grand jury next
week relative To the county financial
graft probe While it Is not said so.
directly by the commissioners, it is
intinlated that IL these witnesses were
examined by the commission all would
be entitled to the immunity bath"
provided for witnesses il clause six OF
the commission act.
Commissioner Williamson says that
the criminal prosecution part OF the
does not appear on the
" hole so important to him as does the
of check on the account
Ing. system fer the future. "Once We
set nest 70 the entire system, We can
recommend safeguards for the future,
ne says.
Statements coming from the com
is that Civic Expert Field
has carried his auditing of the read
fund books up to 1897. and that the
FIRST Illegal warrant in these funds was
discovered during tire week 1t. an
pears that the system used in eating
way witk i portion OF the road funds