Maui police officer accused of trying to bribe witness

Maui police say one of their officers has been placed on administrative leave without pay after he was arrested for allegedly trying to bribe a witness in a case against him.

Police said Officer Anthony Maldonado, 26, and Damien K. Kaina,Jr. were arrested Thursday on suspicion of bribery of a witness and hindering prosecution in the first degree.

Police said Kaina visited a man who had filed a theft case against Maldonado on Tuesday, and offered an undisclosed amount of cash if the victim would withdraw the criminal complaint against Maldanado.

The victim reported the incident to police on Wednesday and turned over the cash given to him, police said.

Kaina, of Wailuku, was charged in the case and posted $10,000 bail.

Maldonado, a Makawao resident, was released pending further investigation.

He had been on leave following his arrest on Oct. 1 in the second-degree theft case.