Cachola cuts his losses over ethics allegations

It’s a $50,000 message that all public officials need to hear and heed.

The Honolulu Ethics Commission has imposed its largest-ever civil fine: on former City Councilman Romy Cachola for multiple alleged violations of city ethics laws.

Now a state representative — his second go-around in the Legislature after detouring into city politics — Cachola will pay the fine to settle the case, but insists that he is not the "intentional violator of the ethics laws" that the commission claims.

Cachola said the $50,000 settlement was preferable over some $125,000 in legal fees to defend himself. Among the allegations: dozens of prohibited gifts such as meals and golf outings from lobbyists with voting matters before the Council.

"Public corruption is the use of public office for private gain," the Ethics Commission stated in an important reminder.