Kealohas’ Bank Fraud Trial Moved To June
A federal magistrate granted a request to postpone the trial because an undisclosed medical condition would hamper Katherine Kealoha’s ability to participate in her defense.
Katherine and Louis Kealoha will be tried on bank fraud charges next summer — after their lengthier and more complex trial on corruption charges is completed, a judge ruled on Thursday.
U.S. Magistrate Richard Puglisi approved June 18 as the new date for the Kealohas’ trial on charges they lied on loan documents.
The former assistant prosecutor and her husband, the former Honolulu police chief, were to be tried Nov. 14 on charges they lied on loan documents. But earlier this week, Puglisi granted a request to postpone that trial after the attorney for Katherine Kealoha provided documents that an undisclosed medical condition prevented her from participating in her own defense at this time.
On Thursday, Puglisi scheduled the bank fraud trial of the Kealohas to take place June 18.
Puglisi’s scheduling means that the shorter, more targeted case against the Kealohas will occur only after a six-to-eight-week trial on corruption charges begins March 19.
In that case, the Kealohas and four Honolulu police officers face charges they framed Katherine Kealoha’s uncle with the theft of the couple’s mailbox and then lied to investigators.
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