Phony lawyer faces charges in Georgia
A fugitive discovered posing as a “private attorney general” in Hawaii will soon be returned to Georgia to face charges of felony child molestation.
Acting on a no-bail warrant issued by the State of Georgia, special agents from the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General arrested 42-year-old Anthony T. Williams on Friday.
Williams is being held pending extradition to Georgia. His initial court appearance is set for Wednesday.
According to Attorney General David Louie, officials became aware of Williams when complaints were filed against him for appearing in federal and state courts as a “private attorney general” representing private parties in various types of litigation.
Louie’s office confirmed that Williams is not a licensed attorney in Hawaii and is not authorized to practice law in Hawaii.
Anyone who hired Williams believing that he was a licensed attorney in the state of Hawaii and received what was believed to be legal assistance, representation or advice is asked to contact the Investigations Division, Department of the Attorney General at 586-1240.
Man dies after being rescued at surf spot
A 27-year-old man died Friday after he was pulled unconscious from waters off Honokaa Waipio Road in Honokaa.
Hawaii County fire rescue personnel responding to the 1:55 p.m. call found the man floating face down in an area known as Kewalo’s and retrieved him from the water using a net.
The man was transported by paramedics to the Hale Hoola Hamakua emergency room, where he was pronounced dead.
Fire damages home in Hilo
An occupant Friday morning escaped a fire that heavily damaged a Hilo house and may have started in a dryer.
Hawaii Fire Department officials said fire units responded to a structure fire at 475 W. Kawailani St. at 6:12 a.m. and found the house one-third involved in flames. The fire was reported under control at 6:30 a.m.
It started in the garage, extended to the living area above the garage, and into the main living area.
Property loss is estimated at $80,000, but two vehicles were also damaged, adding $20,000 to the total, fire officials said.
Investigators are concentrating on an electrical malfunction in a dryer.
No injuries were reported.
