A former police officer serving a federal prison sentence for extortion says he was also an online sports gambling bookie while working for the Honolulu Police Department, according to federal court records.
Roddy Takao Tsunezumi, 39, was sentenced in U.S. District Court last year to a 33-month prison term for trying to extort $15,000 from the husband and wife owners of a Honolulu hostess bar who had turned to him for help. He pleaded guilty to the charge in July 2014. Federal prosecutors dropped another charge against him involving possession and sale of stolen vehicles.
As part of his cooperation agreement, Tsunezumi is scheduled to testify against Honolulu police officer Landon K. Rudolfo, who Tsunezumi says knowingly purchased a stolen sport utility vehicle from him.
The government says Rudolfo knew Tsunezumi was selling stolen cars on which vehicle identification number plates had been switched with those from other cars. Prosecutors say Rudolfo placed an order for a Toyota 4Runner, then sold it for more than twice what he paid Tsunezumi.
A federal grand jury charged Rudolfo in November with conspiring to and trafficking in stolen vehicles. In addition to buying the stolen 4Runner, Rudolfo is accused of handing over another SUV to Tsunezumi so the owners, who are his friends, could make a fraudulent theft claim with their insurer. Trial for the 11-year HPD veteran is scheduled to begin Monday.
An HPD spokeswoman says Rudolfo is on leave without pay.
During preparations for Rudolfo’s trial, prosecutors say in court records that Tsunezumi told them he was an online sports gambling bookie between 2011 and 2013. Tsunezumi resigned from HPD in April 2014, after nine years of service.
Prosecutors disclosed Tsunezumi’s admission to Rudolfo’s lawyer.
U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson ruled this week that Rudolfo’s lawyer can cross-examine Tsunezumi about his extortion conviction but cannot ask him about his online gambling activities.
Tsunezumi has not been charged with any gambling or related crimes.
Prosecutors say Tsunezumi told them he was a second-level bookie who answered to a higher-level bookie, and that he earned about $20,000 collecting losses from and paying out winnings to gamblers over a span of a year and a half.
