Charges to be Refiled Against HPD Officers in Overtime Scam
The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office says it will refile charges in a Honolulu Police Department overtime scandal case, which saw charges dropped against four officers late last month. But it’s not clear whether all four officers will be charged again.
“We will be bringing the charges back again,” Dave Koga, a spokesman for the Honolulu prosecutor’s office, told Civil Beat. He said the office could not comment on how many of the officers will be affected. He also could not say when the case would be refiled.
Circuit Court Judge Edward Kubo had dismissed four separate cases on May 24 against HPD Sgts. Duke Zoller and Aaron Bernal, and against officers Christopher Bugarin and Patrick Bugarin, ruling that the officers’ to a speedy trial had been violated.
At the time, Kubo said the court would “review all the facts” to decide whether the cases should be dismissed with or without prejudice. He ruled this week to dismiss them without prejudice, meaning prosecutors can refile the charges.
Five officers were accused of falsifying reports claiming two sergeants had worked at DUI roadblocks. Prosecutors contend the sergeants had the night off.
Zoller had faced three charges of tampering with a government record and two charges of theft in the third degree — both misdemeanors — according to court records.
Bernal faced nine charges of tampering with a government record and two charges of theft in the third degree.
Patrick Bugarin was charged with three counts of tampering with a government record. Christopher Bugarin was charged with two counts of tampering with a government record.
Three other officers involved in the case will not be affected by the refiling of charges.
In May, HPD officers Leighton Kato and Michael Krekel were found not guilty in separate jury trials. Officer Brian Morris pleaded guilty in March to tampering with a government record.
Read our related coverage:
- HPD Officer Accused in Overtime Scandal: Not Guilty
- Second HPD Officer Found Innocent in Overtime Scheme
- Judge Dismisses Honolulu Police Officers’ Cases in Overtime Pay Scandal
