Letter: Ige wrong to veto bill on civil asset forfeitures

I’m so disappointed in the governor for vetoing the civil asset forfeiture bill (“Ige vetoes REIT and vacation rental tax bills,” Star-Advertiser, July 10).

The bill would have required the state to return the cash or property if there was no corresponding criminal conviction or charge, or if the charge or underlying charge was dismissed; and would have limited seizures to felony crimes.

I wondered about his reasoning. He said forfeitures deter crime by making it unprofitable; that there already is adequate protection within the program to protect against abuses; and that the attorney general reviews property seizures and has an asset forfeiture coordinator.

House Bill 748 would have protected the little guy, because the higher-ups have influence and money to get their stuff back. How can the little guy hire a lawyer if he doesn’t have assets?

Well, I voted for Ige twice because I thought he was a fair man with integrity. I don’t think I’d vote for him again.

Vincent Hee

Mililani

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