Police chief’s uncle-in-law testifies in family dispute case
20150120-7599 CTY KEALOHA These are the opening statements in trial as Katherine Kealoha, wife of Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha. She defends herself against claims by her grandmother, Florence Puana. and uncle Gerald Puana, that she ripped them off. Florence’s daughter Charlee Malott is besides her. Katherine Kealoha’s attorneys are Kevin Sumida and Anthony Wong. This is (l-r) Charlee Malott, Florence Puana and Gerald Puana waiting for the trail to start. They are in State Circuit Court with Judge Virginia L. Crandall presiding. PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA. JAN. 20, 2015.
The uncle of the Honolulu police chief’s wife says she promised to pay off a reverse mortgage on his 95-year-old mother’s home.
Gerard Puana testified Tuesday in a civil trial for a lawsuit he filed against Chief Louis Kealoha’s wife, Katherine Kealoha. Puana and his mother accuse her of stealing money from them.
His mother obtained the reverse mortgage to buy him a condo. He says Katherine Kealoha stole money left over from the condo purchase and she stole money he gave her to invest.
Kealoha denies the allegations.
Kealoha’s attorney portrays Puana as a man with a checkered past who’s financially dependent on his mother.
The dispute led to police misconduct allegations in a case where charges were dropped against Puana, who was accused of stealing the Kealohas’ mailbox.
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