City Councilman Rod Tam pleads guilty to 26 separate crimes in deal with Attorney General

HONOLULU—Honolulu City Councilmember Rod Tam pled guilty today to 26 counts of theft and unsworn falsification.

The Department of the Attorney General filed a complaint earlier this year alleging that Tam, as a Councilmember, submitted false claims for reimbursements of meals during fiscal years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009. Tam knowingly charged the City higher amounts than the actual receipts paid for the meals, and was therefore overpaid in reimbursements, according to the Attorney General.

The amounts of the individual overcharges described in the complaint ranged from $8.00 to $267.55 and were incurred at various restaurants in Honolulu.

Under a plea agreement with the Department of the Attorney General, Tam pled guilty as charged to all 26 counts.

“Mr. Tam violated a public trust, and has now pled guilty to 26 separate crimes,” Attorney General Mark Bennett said. “We believe this is an appropriate resolution to this case.”

Sentencing is scheduled for January 27, 2011, before the Honorable Randal Shintani.

Theft in the Third Degree and Unsworn Falsification to Authorities are misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both. Theft in the Fourth Degree is a petty misdemeanor punishable by up to thirty days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

Tam represents a portion of Makiki, Downtown Honolulu, Punchbowl, Liliha, Pauoa Valley, Nuuanu, Alewa Heights, Papakolea, Kalihi Valley, and a portion of Kalihi.

Tam could not be reached for comment.

The Councilman did issue the following statement this afternoon:

“At this time, I am responding to petty misdemeanors and misdemeanors charges against me by the State of Hawaii’s Attorney General Office out
of embarrassment. So that there is no misinterpretation: ‘Pursuant to compromise, I have pleaded guilty to a variety of petty misdemeanors and misdemeanors. I submitted vouchers that exceeded actual bill amounts. I also submitted vouchers that were below actual billing amounts. I should have practiced better bookkeeping methods. I take full responsibility and deeply apologize for my mistakes.’

A court date will be set for sometime in 2011.

Editor’s note: The story was updated with Tam’s statement at 5:20 p.m.