Honolulu's police commission has approved hiring a lawyer to represent a retired chief in a federal case that accuses him of using police resources to frame a relative.
Commissioner Steve Levinson says the panel approved the request yesterday.
Former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his wife, former deputy prosecutor Katherine Kealoha, are indicted on corruption-related charges. Prosecutors say they used police resources to frame her uncle for the theft of their mailbox in an attempt to cover up financial fraud that funded the couple's lavish lifestyle.
It's not clear how the decision will affect the federal taxpayer-funded lawyer the ex-chief already has. A hearing is scheduled for tomorrow.
The commission rejected a second request for a lawyer to represent Kealoha in a case focusing on bank fraud, identity theft and other charges.
