Minutes for August 18, 2005

Campaign Spending Commission Meeting
Leiopapa A Kamehameha Building, Room 203
August 18, 2005
2:00 p.m.

Members Present:
Paul Kuramoto, Steven Olbrich, Gino Gabrio, Dean Robb, Michael Weaver

Staff Present:
Robert Watada, Tony Baldomero, Grant Tanimoto, Ellen Kojima

Call to Order:
Meeting convened at 2:05 p.m. with-Chair Kuramoto presiding.

Consideration of Minutes:
Mr. Gabrio moved to accept the minutes of July 14, 2005, Mr. Robb seconded.  Motion carried.

New Business:
Docket 05-02 Calvin Kawamoto and Committee to Elect Cal Kawamoto
Mr. Watada presented a complaint against Calvin Kawamoto and the Committee to Elect Cal Kawamoto for the Commission’s consideration.  Complaint alleges that Cal Kawamoto and his committee violated a number of campaign finance statutes and rules, such as the transfer of campaign funds to a nonprofit organization where it appears Mr. Kawamoto is the sole officer and executive and the transfer of a campaign purchased automobile and Segways to the same nonprofit organization.  Staff investigation revealed that there maybe criminal issues that should be further investigated and recommend that the matter be referred to the state attorney general.

Mr. Cal Kawamoto, stated that as of yesterday and today he has filed amended reports to address concerns stated in the complaint.  Mr. Kawamoto further asked that the complaint be dismissed, and charged that Mr. Watada and staff did not provide requested information in a timely manner or that requested information was not provided at all.

Discussion was had on Mr. Kawamoto’s use of campaign funds for personal expenses and the transfer of campaign funds and campaign assets to a Waipahu charity.  Mr. Kawamoto maintained that all expenses made were campaign related on the premise that he is a candidate whether he is at a community meeting or at the movies, and that the law allowed him to make the donations to any nonprofit organization.

Mr. Gabrio moved that the matter be referred to the attorney general’s office, Mr. Olbrich seconded.  Motion carried.  (Mr. Robb recused)

Old Business:
Selection of Vice-Chair
Mr. Gabrio moved to nominate Steven Olbrich as Vice-Chair of the Commission, Mr. Robb seconded.  Motion carried.

Training - Role and Responsibility of CSC
Deferred – Date to be determined.

Next Meeting:
Scheduled for Wednesday, September 28, 2005 at 10:00 a.m.

Mr. Olbrich moved to convene executive session to discuss personnel matters, Mr. Gabrio seconded.  Motion carried.

Public session reconvened at 3:43 p.m.

Meeting date changed from September 28 to September 13 at 10:00 a.m.

Mr. Olbrich moved to adjourn meeting, Mr. Gabrio seconded.  Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.