Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | Apr 1, 2016 | April - May 2016, Articles, Wisdoms
Pope Francis recently said, “Be careful! Beware of someone who is sly or sneaky who tells you that you need to pay. Salvation cannot be bought.” He was warning us that scam artists use faith as a source of income. We must always be on guard against people that use...
Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | Oct 1, 2015 | Articles, October - November 2015, Wisdoms
With Thanksgiving approaching, we are reminded to be appreciative of what we have; oftentimes, this leads to opening up our hearts (and wallets) to those in need. Unfortunately, there are those who would use dishonesty to profit from a giving heart. Earlier this year...
Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | Oct 1, 2015 | Articles, October - November 2015, Wisdoms
With Thanksgiving approaching, we are reminded to be appreciative of what we have; oftentimes, this leads to opening up our hearts (and wallets) to those in need. Unfortunately, there are those who would use dishonesty to profit from a giving heart. Earlier this year...
Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | Jun 1, 2015 | Articles, June - July 2015, Wisdoms
Wanda (not her real name) took out a home equity loan on her Waianae house. She intended to renovate her home so that her adult daughter could move in, care for Wanda and help repay the loan. Once the $290,000 was in their joint checking account, however, her daughter...
Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | Apr 1, 2015 | April - May 2015, Articles, Wisdoms
When it comes to love and relationships, we are particularly protective of our elders. We scrutinize new companions who come into their lives; when our kupuna decide to marry, we get concerned about the new partner’s intentions. Stephanie (not her real name) called my...
Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | Feb 1, 2015 | Articles, February - March 2015, Wisdoms
For hours, Elaine (not her real name), age 69, sat on the lanai of her Pearl City townhouse waiting. She was told that at any moment, the governor was going to arrive and present her with a new car and a check for $2 million. During this time, her adult son was...
Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | Jun 1, 2014 | Articles, June - July 2014, Wisdoms
The Fourth of July is the cornerstone of summer. It is a date where families will get together; BBQ’s will occur; and fireworks will be watched. Memories of our youth will resurface, and stories of our nation’s birth will be told. Independence Day being on Friday this...
Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | Feb 1, 2014 | Articles, February - March 2014, Wisdoms
Fear has always been a tool criminals use to get money from others. Whether it is created by holding a weapon to a cashier to get their compliance, or simply using a verbal threat against someone on the street to make him/her surrender their wealth, a robber wants his...
Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | Dec 1, 2013 | Articles, December - January 2014, Wisdoms
When Betty Lau (victim’s name changed) of Kaimuki opened her mail, she could not believe how lucky she was to find out that she won the $3-million Australian Lottery. The official looking letter explained that an unnamed company bought her a ticket as a promotional...
Aimee Harris | Jun 1, 2011 | Articles, Cover Story, June - July 2011
A lifetime dedicated to the safety and security of our community “I… became aware of people who take advantage of the elderly,… ” With more than 30 years of experience in the criminal justice field, Prosecuting Attorney Keith Kaneshiro has dedicated his...