A troubling IBEW corruption case

People in high-cost Hawaii work hard for their money. The Labor Day weekend also reminded us of Hawaii’s long, proud history of labor unions fighting for improved conditions for workers, which continues today. That’s why it’s disturbing to hear of the dark allegations of corruption against three former IBEW Local 1260 leaders: Brian Ahakuelo, ex-business manager and financial secretary, his wife Marilyn, and her sister Jennifer Estencion. The union represents about 3,000 electrical workers in Hawaii and Guam.

On Wednesday, the trio pleaded not guilty to a 70-count federal indictment of criminal conspiracy and wire fraud for using union money for personal expenses, rigging a vote to raise union dues, embezzlement and money laundering.

Also disturbing: City rail-project media specialist Russell Yamanoha, who is a former IBEW staffer, and three others are scheduled this week to plead guilty to misdemeanor conspiracy for their roles in the alleged vote-rigging, a scheme that generated nearly $4 million in increased dues; the union has since refunded members that money.

As of Friday, Yamanoha was still on the rail project’s payroll, “status unchanged,” a rail spokesman said. IBEW members, and the public, will be closely watching how this case unfolds.