Kealohas seek dismissal of prosecutor, citing leak

Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his deputy prosecutor wife, Katherine, want to have the federal prosecutor convening a grand jury investigation into alleged wrongdoing at the Honolulu Police Department disqualified for leaking information about the case to the media.

The Kealohas’ lawyer, Myles Breiner, confirmed reports that he filed the request in U.S. District Court over what he says are substantial abuses by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Wheat.

Wheat is assigned to the trial division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Diego but has been in Honolulu convening a grand jury since earlier this year.

Breiner declined to comment further about the Kealohas’ request because grand jury proceedings are secret. The request had to be filed under seal, and any hearings that might be conducted on the request will also be conducted under seal.

Grand jurors, interpreters, people involved in recording the proceeding and government attorneys participating in the proceedings are prohibited from disclosing matters before the grand jury. The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure do not, however, prohibit disclosure by witnesses called to testify.