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New trial dates set for 2 more HPD officers accused of falsifying documents

Three of the four Honolulu police officers charged with falsifying documents to get more overtime have court dates.

Police officers Christopher and Patrick Bugarin, both represented by attorney Guy Matsunaga, entered not guilty pleas this morning at their Circuit Court arraignment on charges of theft and tampering with government records. The brothers were given trial dates of Sept. 19 before Circuit Judge Ed Kubo.

Earlier this week, HPD Sgt. Duke Zoller also pleaded not guilty to similar charges. His case also will be heard by Kubo during the week of Sept. 19.

In May, Kubo dismissed the charges against Zoller, Sgt. Aaron Bernal and the Bugarin brothers because the case had taken too long to go to trial. Kubo, however, allowed prosecutors to refile the case. Bernal’s case has been continued until Aug. 22.

The four have been charged again and are accused of putting the names of the two sergeants on arrest reports to show that they were at DUI checkpoints when they actually weren’t so that they could increase the chances of gaining overtime later if defendants challenged the arrests in court.

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