The Latest: Prosecutor: Actions show guilt in Hawaii case

HONOLULU — The Latest on closing arguments in a corruption trial in Hawaii (all times local):

11 a.m.

Closing arguments are underway in a trial that’s been described as Hawaii’s biggest public corruption case.

U.S. prosecutor Joseph Orabona said Tuesday the actions of the defendants, former Honolulu deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha and her retired police chief husband, Louis Kealoha, show they conspired to frame her uncle.

Prosecutors have said Katherine Kealoha wanted to frame Gerard Puana to keep him from revealing fraud that financed the couple’s lavish lifestyle.

Orabona says greed, manipulation and abuse of power were at the centre of the case.

He says the conspiracy consisted of obstruction, lies and depriving Puana of his civil rights.

Attorneys for the Kealohas are expected to deliver their closing arguments later in trhe day.

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9:45 a.m.

Closing arguments are set for Tuesday in a trial that’s been described as Hawaii’s biggest public corruption case.

Former Honolulu deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha and her retired police chief husband, Louis Kealoha, are on trial with current and former officers. Prosecutors say the Kealohas conspired with officers in a secret police unit to frame Katherine Kealoha’s uncle for stealing their home mailbox.

Prosecutors say she wanted to frame Gerard Puana to keep him from revealing fraud that financed the couple’s lavish lifestyle. Prosecutors say the couple’s motive was to discredit him in a lawsuit he filed claiming Katherine Kealoha stole money from him and her grandmother.

Attorneys for the Kealohas are expected to deliver their closing arguments later Tuesday.

The Associated Press