Maui Won’t Let It Go, Appeals Police Case Against Publisher
Judge threw out case against MauiTime publisher, but county asks higher court to reconsider.
Despite video evidence and a judge’s ruling, Maui County is apparently convinced it still has a criminal case against the founder of the island’s聽alternative weekly newspaper.
MauiTime Publisher Tommy Russo was after filming police聽pulling over cars near the base of Haleakala during聽Operation Recon, which targeted drivers with illegal window tinting. The enforcement effort was backing up traffic, so he went to find out why it was necessary.
A judge two weeks ago after determining the officers lacked probable cause, but Maui County officials filed an appeal Tuesday.
MauiTime Publisher Tommy Russo sits at his desk, Nov. 19, 2013.
Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat
Russo, who has a civil case pending for alleged police brutality, about the decision that criticizes the county for wasting taxpayer money to continue pursuing the case.
Civil Beat profiled Russo last year as part of its Making Waves series. Read that story here.
In case you missed it, here’s the video of Russo’s arrest:
