Honolulu City Council members are urging police commissioners to reconsider a decision to pay legal fees for an ex-police chief fighting corruption-related charges.
The Honolulu Police Commission last month approved a request for a city-funded attorney to represent Louis Kealoha in a case focusing on allegations he and his wife, a former deputy prosecutor, used police resources and abused their authority to frame a relative for a mailbox theft.
Council Committee on Executive Matters and Legal Affairs Chairman Ron Menor and Council Chairwoman Ann Kobayashi sent a letter to the commission late Tuesday saying they're concerned the decision burdens the city and taxpayers.
The Kealohas have pleaded not guilty. It's not clear how the commission's decision will affect the federal taxpayer-funded lawyers a judge appointed to represent the Kealohas.
