Waikiki Casino Advocates: An Unlikely Coincidence or In Cahoots?

Radcliffe & So-called Citizens Group Both Report 

Expenditures of $39,093.10

Is it mere coincidence or in cahoots that Citizens for a Better Way and Radcliffe & Associates both reported expenditures totaling $39,093.10 for the period ended April 30, 2011?

Background
John Radcliffe, a lobbyist for gambling interests and vice president with Capitol Consultants of Hawaii, re-established his defunct Radcliffe & Associates in February 2011.  In April 2011, he switched his representation of Marketing Resource Group (MRG) from Capitol Consultants of Hawaii to Radcliffe & Associates. MRG is the Lansing-based PR/Political firm representing Marian Ilitch and Michael J. Malik, Sr., founders of Detroit's MotorCity Casino. Those casino syndicators have pursued plans to develop a Waikiki casino. Radcliffe has represented MRG and its Detroit gambling clients for the better part of the last decade. Records reviewed by TVT, suggest that MRG was the only  Radcliffe & Associates client during the period ended April 30, 2011.  For the period ending April 30, 2011, Radcliffe & Associates reported "other disbursements" of $39,093.10 (see disclosure below).  Radcliffe did not disclose who received those payments nor has he disclosed where the nearly $40,000 he paid came from.

Coincidentally, or not, in April 2011, a so-called "citizens" advocacy group supporting plans by Radcliffe's clients to build a Waikiki casino appeared out of nowhere on the political landscape.  A woman with a questionable past, Liz Watanabe, was said to be the organizer of Citizens for a Better Way (CFBW).  However, it's clear that Radcliffe and his associates had their hand in the creation of the group.  Radcliffe has denied to reporters any role in organizing, managing or funding the organization. He clearly mislead Honolulu's press corps. Among other things, an associate at Radcliffe's Capitol Consultants lobbying firm established and owns the CFBW website.  In April, CFBW launched and reportedly paid for a sophisticated lobbying campaign, including robo-calls to voters, designed to urge Hawaii's legislators to approve the stand-alone Waikiki casino scheme promoted by Radcliffe's and his clients. The campaign was very similar to other political advertising campaigns launched by Marketing Resource Group in various communities where the Detroit casino syndicators have interests. Nothing in Watanabe's background suggests she has any experience or familiarity with such sophisticated paid political advertising efforts

And coincidentally, or not, CFWB also reports spending $39,093.10 during the period ended April 30, 2012 (see disclosure below).  It's not clear who received the payments from Watanabe/CFBW, or where she got the nearly $40,000 she reports spending.  What is clear is that Watanabe, who filed an individual $387,000 bankruptcy just weeks later, didn't use her own money.

Did Radcliffe provide Watanabe with nearly $40,000?  Did Watanabe pay Marketing Resource Group (MRG) or its usual vendors to carry out the political advertising campaign?  Where did Radcliffe & Associates come by funds it spent?  Since Marketing Resource Group is seemingly the only Radcliffe & Associates client, it would make sense that the funds expended by Radcliffe came from MRG.  However, MRG only disclosed paying Radcliffe $11,890.21 during the period ended April 30, 2011?

You be the judge: was it a coincidence that both Radcliffe & Associates and Citizens for a Better Way both reported spending exactly $39,093.10 or are John Radcliffe/Marketing Resource group in cahoots with Liz Watanabe?  If you believe they are in cahoots, then you should urge the Hawaii Ethics Commission and/or Hawaii's Attorney General to look into the matter because clearly they've participated in a conspiracy.

Official Disclosure Filings
Radcliffe Assoc Lobbying Expenses - Period Ended 2011.04.30

CFBW Lobbying Expenditures - Period Ended 2011.04.30

Hawaii Gambling Advocates Push for Slots at Honolulu Convention Center

Hawaii gaming supporter wants to place slot machines at Honolulu convention center
1.25.2012

By Howard Stutz

If it’s January, then it’s time for another casino gaming proposal to surface in Hawaii.

Gambling proponents believe Honolulu’s 15-year-old convention center would be the perfect location for slot machine casino. Revenues from the games would help pay for a renovation to the facility.

Randy Tanaka, the assistant general manager of the convention center told KITV News, Honolulu’s ABC affiliate, that he was not aware anyone was pushing gaming proposals for the center.

“It’s news to me,” said Tanaka.

Hawaii is one just two states, along with Utah, that does not have any form of legalized gaming.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority said it has not taken a position on gambling, but longtime gambling supporter Joe Souki told the TV station the convention center is under consideration.

“There is some possibility we could put it there and start it off quickly,” said the Maui lawmaker.

Souki has introduced a bill for a stand-alone entertainment center and casino. It calls for a single casino, centrally located in Waikiki and not attached to any hotel.

Other bills in the Hawaii Legislature would allow Internet gambling, slot machines in resort areas and at the Honolulu International Airport.

In the past gaming legalization bills have faced stiff opposition from opponents.

Blogger's Note: Gambling lobbyist John Radcliffe and his clients Detroit gambling industry clients have previously floated the idea of converting some or all of the existing Convention Center space into a gambling and entertainment venue.  The Detroit gambling interests have some experience converting existing space into gambling use and they have experience working with publicly owned arenas and convention centers.

But 54% Think Gambling in Hawaii Would Have Overall Negative Impact

Survey shows support for casino

1.20.2012

By Derrick DePledge

Three-quarters of people in a new survey say they would visit an entertainment center in Waikiki that had showrooms, movie theaters and a casino.

The Waikiki Improvement Association paid for the survey to measure local perceptions about the state's primary tourism destination. The results will likely be used to reinforce arguments by gaming interests that the state should legalize gambling.

Hawaii and Utah are the only two states without some form of gambling. Several proposals, including a Waikiki casino, have been floated at the Legislature without success.

The survey, conducted among 1,000 people statewide by SMS Research & Marketing Services, found that 76 percent would be very or somewhat likely to visit an entertainment center with a casino developed in Waikiki. The survey was taken by telephone between Nov. 15 and Dec. 22. The margin of error was 3.1 percentage points...

People who responded to the survey were divided about the merits of legalizing gambling. Fifty-eight percent said they believe gambling would be positive for the state's economy. But 54 percent think gambling would have a negative impact overall.

Many people who favor a casino are lifelong residents, according to the survey, while many opposed have lived in the islands for less than five years.

Egged said the Waikiki Improvement Association has not taken a position on gambling and is not advocating any specific casino development project.

State House and Senate leaders have said that they expect gambling bills to be debated but doubt legislation to legalize gambling would pass this session.

"There's enough to do in Waikiki without a casino," said state Senate Majority Leader Brickwood Galuteria (D, Downtown-Waikiki). "But the question of gaming is not going to go away."

State Rep. Tom Brower (D, Waikiki-Ala Moana), chairman of the House Tourism Committee, said lawmakers should be open to a discussion about a Waikiki casino. He said he has visited well-executed casinos in Singapore, Macau and the Philippines.

"In order to compete, I think we have to consider gambling," he said. (Complete Story)

Ex-Gov. Waihee names former Hawaiian Affairs CEO to head Native Roll Commission

OHA's former top officer appointed executive director of Native Hawaiian Roll Commission

1.06.2012

HONOLULU — The former chief executive officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs has been appointed executive director of a commission responsible for preparing and maintaining a roll of qualified Native Hawaiians interested in participating in their own government.

Commission Chair and former Gov. John Waihee said Thursday Clyde Namuo's appointment was effective at the beginning of the year.

Namuo will be responsible for overseeing daily operations of the roll commission. He'll be serving without pay.

The commission was established by the 2011 Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

Namuo retired at the end of last year after a decade of serving as OHA's top officer.

Gambling Lobbyist Suggests his Scheme for a Waikiki Casino will "Fill Hawaii's Budget Hole"

Blogger's Note: John Radcliffe is a lobbyist for Detroit casino syndicators (investors affiliated with Detroit's MotorCity Casino and failed Indian casino schemes in NY & CA).  For nearly a decade, the Detroiters have been pushing schemes for a stand-alone Waikiki Casino. (learn more at bottom of this post)

Legalizing Gambling Will Be Good For Hawaii
12.20.2011

By John Radcliffe
Gambling Industry Lobbyist

John Radcliffe, Casino Gambling Lobbyist

In a recent Civil Beat editorial, Lowell Kalapa asked the question, “Can Legalized Gambling Fill Hawaii’s Budget Hole?” and then proceeded to argue against it.

The real answer to his question is: “Yes it Can!” Hawaii is the only American state outside of Utah that prohibits gaming. There are 311 million people in the other states and including Hawaii, but excluding Utah, 99.6% of them, live in states that permit gambling, and all of the residents of Utah have hundreds of casinos within easy driving distance of the borders of their state.

What we have here in Hawaii, instead of legal gaming, is a large, uncontrollable, criminal gambling enterprise that involves all sorts of bad elements — including, according to the news reports, rogue police officers. Estimates of the size of our homegrown, illegal, gambling operations range all the way up to one billion dollars per year, and history has shown that Prohibition creates crime, not lessens it. Legalizing gambling will have the same effect that legalizing alcohol had. It will lessen, or even end, that crime. How much “bathtub gin” do you think is made and sold here? None. But there is plenty of illegal gambling and none of it is taxed. If it were taxed, we in Hawaii would have about $50 million in tax revenue added annually.

But what about other, legal, gambling? Hawaii residents also spend about a billion dollars a year on that. Hawaii residents take a total of about 500,000 total trips to Las Vegas, and other gambling destinations each year with many of our citizens taking multiple trips per year. Boyd Gaming alone reported that it earns about $600,000,000 from Hawaii visitors each year. That means that Hawaii is contributing about one billion dollars to the economy of “neighboring” Nevada each year.

Economists like Mr. Kalapa tell us that each dollar spent in a local economy generates about 3.5 times as much, via what they call “the multiplier effect.” That is, the more money that is flying around in an economy, the more money it generates. The billion dollars that Hawaii residents are “contributing” to Nevada, adds about about $3.5 billion each year to their economy and takes from our own. We get nothing. No wonder they love us in Nevada!

All, or virtually all, of our mainland tourists come from states that already have casinos or other forms of gambling, and many of them favor our having one also. After all, there is virtually nothing for tourists to do after dark in Waikiki. No movie theaters. Almost no major entertainment venues. The Waikiki Improvement Association did some polling of our Asian visitors recently, and found that nearly 80% of Japanese, South Korean, and Chinese visitors would appreciate having a casino as an entertainment option in Waikiki.

The bill we had introduced in the legislature last year calls for limited gaming. One stand alone casino, only. All entities that would bid on that single license would have to ante up a $1 million, non-refundable fee, just to bid. The winning bidder would have to pay a $150 million “impact fee” to the state, and the casino itself would be subject to a General Excise Tax of 15%, a tax equal to more than three times the tax paid by all other tax payers in Hawaii. The economic modeling that we did indicates that the single, stand alone, casino would employ 3,660 directly, and produce another 5,717 jobs off-site, increasing the number of total jobs for Hawaii workers by 9,377.

Casinos are very labor intensive. The gross wages per year for those new jobs would amount to an aggregate of nearly $533 million in new money to the local economy. It is expected that the increased taxes from gaming fees, income taxes from employee wages, and from the ripple effect of new vendor jobs, etc., and from the General Excise taxes, will generate an added $86.3 million each year. None of this includes the investment costs for construction and etc. which are estimated to be well in excess of $300 million.

Ah, but what about the “social costs?” The emotional attacks that legalizing gambling will create crime, increase personal bankruptcy, and so on, are always a “hot button” item here in Hawaii. However, the facts in the rest of the country don’t bear them out. Both sides in the casino debate cite various academic studies in their interests, but the only source on that issue that ought to count is the Congressional National Gambling Impact Study Commission, and in its official study of those questions, it found that legalizing gambling has no significant effect on crime, personal bankruptcy, etc., either way. And the facts bear that out among the more than 307 million Americans in 49 states that have already ended prohibition of gambling.

So, to answer Mr. Kalapa’s question, “Can Legalized Gambling Fill Hawaii’s Budget Hole?” The answer is yes, it undoubtedly can help. No single “silver bullet” exists that will solve all of Hawaii’s need to have sufficient income forever. But it goes without saying, that Hawaii will need a wider variety of sources of income than we have now and no other industry is beating down the door. Casino gaming is something that ought to be tried.

Blogger's Note (cont.): Radcliffe represents Detroit gambling interests and his lobbying partner George A. "Red" Morris" represents Las Vegas- based Boyd Gaming Company. Radcliffe and others at his lobbying firm organized the so-called "Citizens for a Better Way" last spring; a front group financed by Radcliffe and his affiliates/clients to push the Waikiki casino scheme.  In April they dumped $40,000 into a sophisticated advertising campaign intended to pressure Hawaii Legislators into supporting their Casino bill. They failed and the individual they recruited to head the so-called citizens group filed a $387,000 bankruptcy after they failed to win legislative support for their Waikiki Casino. While Mr. Radcliffe pimps a casino, it is but one form of gaming. Hawaii could consider a State Lottery, bingo, sports betting and other alternatives without approving any Las Vegas-style casino in Waikiki. The Honolulu Police Department has stood steadfast against Radcliffe's attempts to legalize gambling. Radcliffe is a political confidante of Gov. Neil Abercrombie and began this most recent push for a Waikiki casino by being the first to contribute to Abercrombie's gubernatorial campaign. He's been pushing the administration to support a casino as a new source of  revenue.  After the Governor's election, Radcliffe helped ID and place key staff in the administration including those who've previously worked to legalize gambling in Hawaii. 

Hawaii Tax Foundation Prez Poses Questions about Legalized Gambling in Hawaii

Can Legalized Gaming Fill Hawaii's Budget Hole
12.18.2011

By Lowell Kalapa
President, Tax Foundation of Hawaii

At its most recent meeting, the State Council on Revenues downgraded its outlook for Hawaii’s economy by dropping its forecast of economic growth from 6.7% to 5.2% for the current fiscal year.

Although the overall growth rate in general fund tax revenues was pegged at 14.5%, 4.3 points are attributable to the catch up of the delay in state income tax refunds from two years ago and 5 points are attributed to the changes in state tax laws that are expected to produce about $200 million less in new revenues than the legislature had counted on when drawing up its financial plan for the fiscal biennium.

These latter tax law changes are good only for the current and next fiscal year and, therefore, added revenues from that source will disappear in fiscal year 2014.

It should also be noted that the Council’s adoption of the added revenues from tax law changes is substantially less than what the legislature had assumed when they adopted those changes. The difference amounts to approximately $100 million for each of the two fiscal years. Therefore, even without any spending restrictions or other adjustments to the recently approved biennium budget, the state-spending plan will be under water by almost $200 million over the fiscal biennium.

Given that situation, lawmakers will be searching for additional revenues in order to avoid making additional reductions in spending. The will to adopt additional tax increases will be absent given the fact that all legislators will be up for reelection in 2012 as a result of the decennial reapportionment of the legislative districts.

Thus, many observers believe that the legislature will actually turn its attention to a number of gaming bills that were introduced during the 2011 session and to some extent received considerable attention. There is no doubt that gaming might be looked upon as a potential resource to fill in the budget gap.

On the other side, again, is the fact that next year is an election year and the public is deeply divided on the issue of gaming, especially in the House where each representative has a smaller constituency in his or her district and where a few votes one way or the other could win or lose the election. In addition, as with all levels of government pushing to downsize payrolls, the additional monitoring and regulation of gaming activities may work against adoption of the activity if it means added personnel costs for the public sector even though there may be additional revenues from gaming.

Then there are those who are concerned about the potential social problems that gaming in Hawaii would create. We all chuckle every time someone mentions going to “Vegas” or enumerates the number of trips made to that ninth Hawaiian Island. It is a matter of fact that Hawaii people like to gamble and at least the time and expense of traveling to Las Vegas stands as a barrier to those who financially cannot swing the trip and probably can’t afford to lose the money.

The question that lawmakers and taxpayers need to ask is whether or not the additional revenues lawmakers believe will come from adding gaming to the list of revenue resources will outweigh the additional costs that will come with gaming. While gaming, per se, is not a tax, it has tax implications from the standpoint that it will require additional public programs - those that are needed to operate the gaming activities including the legal enforcement and those that will be needed to address the social and financial implications.

Another consideration is the amount of participation that will be needed to make a gaming industry a lucrative source of public revenue. Unlike its counterparts on the mainland which allow gaming, Hawaii is not contiguous with other jurisdictions where residents from other states or counties can cross state lines to participate in the gaming activity of another state or county. Think of it in the reverse of Hawaii residents traveling to Las Vegas. Will the cost, time and distance be attractive enough to gamble in Hawaii?

Finally, the adoption of any form of gaming in Hawaii may open the door to forms other than what may be authorized by the legislature because of the Hawaiian sovereignty issue giving rise to those other forms of gaming on native Hawaiian enclaves such as Hawaiian Homes Lands.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Details Plans for 2012; Native Roll, Restoration of Lands Top List

A gathering Wednesday, December 14, 2011, drew hundreds to St. Andrew's Cathedral in Honolulu to hear the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ (OHA) plans for 2012. The agency hopes to celebrate the goals as accomplishments one year from now.

Click arrow below to view video here

OHA Chair urges unity
12.14.2011

By Jim Mendoza

"I stand here in front of you asking all of you to lay your weapons down. Lay your spears down and embrace with aloha," OHA chairperson Colette Machado said.

In her speech on the State of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Machado pointed to next year as a pivotal one for settling the dispute over ceded lands, now that Gov. Neil Abercrombie wants to give OHA 25 acres along the Kakaako waterfront.

"We must always be protective of the open space along the shoreline," she said. "I will support an open corridor for public access so people will have access to the area to gather as ohana, and to use that area to fish and also to bodysurf."

The deal needs legislative approval. Lawmakers plan to question how deep OHA searched for alternatives to the Abercrombie proposal, and if it could open the state to lawsuits.

"Once they explain that to us I think we'll get a better idea about where we want to go," said Sen. Brickwood Galuteria, chair of the Senate Hawaiian Affairs Committee.

"Hawaiians are no dummy when it comes to real estate. Land is our greatest asset. We know the value and situation of that place in particular," native Hawaiian political advisor Kealii Makekau said.

Former Gov. John D. Waihee is
Chair, Native Hawaiian Roll Commission

OHA will also concentrate on the Roll Call Commission, created to compile a list of native Hawaiians interested in self-determination.

"Our primary imperative as a commission is to re-unify the sovereign entity of native Hawaiians one by one, by the thousands," commission chair John Waihee said.

But some advocates for native Hawaiian sovereignty said the call for unity doesn't go far enough.

"We need to stand the nation back up again as an independent nation, not as a sub-group of the United States," said Leon Siu, of an organization called The Hawaiian Kingdom.

Did the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Purge Comments Exposing Pro-Gambling Front Group? Why Didn't Seasoned Political Reporter Investigate Further?

On July 24, 2011, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser ran a story entitled "Entrepreneurs get rolling on Waikiki casino idea," by Richard Borreca whose pieces on politics appear in the Star-Advertiser on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays.

Borreca wrote on the overnight emergence of the so-called "Citizens for a Better Way," a pro-gambling advocacy group for which Liz Hata Watanabe was recruited as spokesperson.

The Hawaii Free Press reports that the following was among comments originally attached to the article:

“Borreca stays in the shallow end of the pool once again. Major players? Liz is consistent: 100% track record of failure. With all of biographical info he puffed her up with, why omit an important fact -- her bankruptcy filing in June, 2011, which details her train wrecks and the $300,000 plus she stiffed her creditors for. She is a success only at self-promotion which you and others facilitate at the expense of reality. Coelho was an advisor to Mufi. More relevant was that he was the managing director for less than a year and eased over to Director of Customer Service. After three years with Salem, he is soon to be retired and moving to the Mainland. Whoever hires Radcliffe, though, gets something for the money -- newspaper space even if the stories are fantasies.”

Now consider the power of press censorship. The article as it currently appears at staradvertiser.com has been purged of that comment and any others that may have been left originally.

Is it as the writer of the comment above suggests, that Borreca lacks skills as a true investigative political reporter?  Or that Borreca or perhaps editors at the Star-Advertiser are supportive of legalized gambling?  Could it be that Borreca is a friend of lobbyist John Radcliffe?  Or that Radcliffe consistently makes himself available to Borreca?

That Borreca failed to consider how it was that Radcliffe would claim he wasn't behind Citizens for a Better Way (CFBW) and yet he was answering questions about the organization and its activities is alarming.

That the Star-Advertiser's seasoned political reporter failed to recognize it would take someone with experience and a lot more true sophistication than the likes of Hata-Watanabe to pull of the comprehensive political advertising campaign sponsored by CFBW is disturbing.  That he failed to push either Watanabe or Radcliffe on the question of who was financing their effort or investigate such further -- especially in light of Watanabe's $387,000 bankruptcy and lack of political fundraising skills.

That he never mentioned Hata-Watanabe's troubles with the Honolulu Liquor Control Commission which are well documented in the public record. That he wasn't aware of or failed to report on Watanabe's one season-wonder TV show "Hawaii's Big Deal Poker Tournament" or probe who bankrolled that venture.

Or that Hata-Watanabe's husband is a veteran officer with the Honolulu Police Department which hands down is opposed to the legalization of gambling in Hawaii. And specifically has opposed the stand-alone Waikiki casino that Watanabe and her benefactors are so eager to see approved. (See testimony by HPD Captain Jerry Inouye opposing HB 781).

Maui Rep. Joe Souki Plans to Introduce Pro-Gambling Constitutional Amendment in 2012

Rep. Souki Recaps Session, Forecasts Election
12.12.2011

By Susan Halas

...Souki said that the 2012 legislative session which begins in January will again be about money, but the tone might be “even more conservative” because it’s an election year where every seat in the 51 member State House and 25 seat State Senate up for a vote. “It’s unlikely you’ll see anything controversial,” he said.

Then, in the next breath he added that he plans to offer a state constitutional amendment asking voters if they want to legalize gambling (Hawaii and Utah are the only two states that do not currently allow any form of gaming). Also he said, “There will definitely be measures introduced to liberalize the marijuana laws.”

“I would support both,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean they will pass”... (Complete Story)

State Rep. Joe Souki (D-Maui)

Joseph M. "Joe" Souki (D-Maui) is a 15 term veteran of the Hawaii State House representing the 8th House district which includes Kahakuloa, Waihee, portions of Wailuku and Waikapu. The St. Anthony High School graduate began his career as an administrator for Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) in 1966 where he was known as an advocate for seniors and low income Mauians.

A lifelong Democrat he entered politics in 1978 when he won a seat as Maui delegate to the Hawaii Constitutional Convention. In 1982 he was elected State House and rose to become Speaker of the House. Almost 30 years later he is Speaker Emeritus, member of the House Democratic Leadership Caucus and chairs the House Transportation Committee.

Souki, now 78 years of age, has served Maui under five governors (Ariyoshi, Waihee, Cayetano, Lingle, Abercrombie) and has had a front row seat in state government and politics for almost 30 years. He plans to seek reelection in 2012.

Blogger's Note: Hawaii and Utah are the only two states in the U.S. with no legalized gambling.

Although Honolulu PD Actively Opposes Legalization of Gambling; Officer’s Wife is Fronting Group Pushing Mainlanders’ Waikiki Casino Schemes

Click for: Honolulu PD Gambling FAQ

Last Spring, Elizabeth Hata Watanabe, the wife of a Honolulu Police officer, emerged out of nowhere as the head of the so-called Citizens for a Better Way. Despite denials by Watanabe and lobbyist John Radcliffe, the group is apparently a front for a mainland casino syndicate hoping to get approvals to develop and operate a stand-alone Las Vegas-style casino in Waikiki.

The Honolulu Police Department has historically opposed the legalization of gambling in Hawaii. In fact, during Hawaii’s 2011 Legislative Session, HPD Officers endorsed by Police Chief Louis Kealoha testified against bills to allow: on-board gambling on cruise ships docked in Hawaiian waters, bingo, gambling on Hawaiian Homelands and development of a stand-alone casino in Waikiki. The later being the objective of Mrs. Watanabe’s lobbying efforts and a mainland casino syndicate (see links to testimony in Scribd box below).

In nearly every instance where HPD officials provided testimony in opposition to a gambling measure,  lobbyist John Radcliffe provided testimony in favor of gambling.  Radcliffe is believed to be the driving force behind the lobbying group for which Mrs. Watanabe fronts.

Honolulu Police Department's Position on Gambling.
Honolulu Police Department's Gambling FAQ
Honolulu Police Deparment's Ant-Gambling Links

During Fall 2010, Watanabe identified herself as the executive producer of “Hawaii’s Big Deal Poker Tournament,” a reality TV show airing Saturdays on Honolulu’s KHON. Despite promises for a second season of Hawaii’s Big Deal, nothing has materialized. And it’s unclear who bankrolled Season One. Watanabe claimed it was to bring attention to her newly formed tax exempt charitable organization, the Hata Foundation.

For several years prior, Watanabe was owner of failed nightclub and restaurant operations. Her establishments were under increasing scrutiny by the Honolulu Liquor Control Commission (HLCC). Namely she had repeated violations serving liquor to minors and it was alleged that she hid her books from HLCC investigators for four years – nearly the entire time she operated the nightclub. In 2009-10, she had one temporary license revoked and the nightclub’s liquor license was suspended. In the wake of HLCC actions, she chose to shutter the establishments.

After closing the failed nightclub and restaurant, producing one season of “Hawaii’s Big Deal Poker Tournament”, and spending nearly $40,000 on a sophisticated advertising campaign which failed to push legislators to support the mainlanders’ proposal for a stand-alone casino in Waikiki, Watanabe filed a $387,000 bankruptcy.

In other related developments...

HPD Major Arrested on Extortion
Reports from the Associated Press during the last month indicate a Honolulu police Major Carlton Nishimura who is facing federal extortion charges received $6,000 a month to protect an illegal gambling room.

According to the court documents and the FBI, while a captain assigned to a Honolulu patrol district, Nishimura directed subordinate officers to inspect and harass other illegal gambling operations considered by his patron to be direct competition.

Nishimura, 55, has remained in custody since a raid on Nov. 14, when agents said they found about a half-pound of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. They also reported the discovery of $2,400 in cash in a safe, jewelry, gift cards, casino player club cards and a college basketball betting odds sheet.

Gambling Scandal Plagues University of Hawaii Football
Although Honolulu Police say they don’t have enough information to launch an official investigation, allegations surfaced in November to suggest that University of Hawaii football players were involved in a points shaving gambling scheme.

University President M. R. C. Greenwood said she and board of regents Chairman Eric Martinson met with Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha to offer the university's full cooperation.

However, the NCAA said, "We are extremely concerned by the point-shaving allegations involving University of Hawaii football student-athletes and have been in contact with the school since early November."

"We take any allegation of point shaving very seriously as it is a crime that threatens two core NCAA principles -- the well-being of student-athletes and the very integrity of intercollegiate sport."

Subsequently University of Hawaii Warriors Football Coach Greg McMackin resigned under pressure.

Hawaii Attorney General Alleges Former Governor John D. Waihee Looted $39 Million from Funeral Funds

State Sues to Get Back $39M Looted from Graves by John Waihee
12.08.2011

by Purna Nemani, Court House News

Hawaii claims that a law firm that DLA Piper acquired through merger drained $39 million from state-regulated prepaid funeral and cemetery contracts.

The State of Hawaii and The Huntington National Bank, as trustees for 18 Hawaii funeral and cemetery trust funds, sued DLA Piper, "successor in liability through merger to the now-dissolved law firm of Verner Li pfert Bernhard MacPherson and Hand." (REMEMBER THEM FROM BROKEN TRUST???)

The complaint is related to an intervenor complaint filed in February, by former successor trustee Comerica Bank and Trust, consolidated as In re RightStar Related Cases.

Hawaii and the bank "seek damages from Piper arising out of the wrongful acts of a former Verner Li pfert partner and employee, former Governor John D. Waihee III, as alleged in the intervenor complaint and set forth below."

The intervenor complaint is against four former trustees, including Waihee, of 14 preneed trusts and four perpetual care trusts. It seeks an accounting and damages for "inter alia, the trustees' breaches of fiduciary duty by permitting improper withdrawals from, and imprudent investments by, the trusts, and other wrongful conduct"... (Complete Story)

Original Court Document

Also see:

• Rogues Gallery: Hawaii Lobbyists G. A. "Red" Morris, John Radcliffe and company they keep...
• Hawaii's Former Governor John D. Waihee III Opposed Legalized Gambling in Hawaii
• Detroiter Malik Says He's Been Planning Belmont Race Track Casino for 6+ Years; But He Has Yet to Meet with NYRA Officials
• Strange Bedfellows: Hawaii's Former Governor & Detroit's Gambling Promoter?
• Why is Detroiter Mike Malik Dragging former Hawaii Governor Waihee around Long Island, NY?
• Disclosure? And their tangled web: Detroiter Michael Malik, the Jack Utsick Ponzi Scheme, Shinnecock & Bay Mills Indians, and Akerman Senterfitt
• Michael Malik: The Latest Life & Times of a Detroit Casino Syndicator
• Controversy seems to always follow Detroit Casino Syndicator Michael Malik
• Ilitch casino development partner Michael Malik defaults on $1 million bank loan

Hawaii's Gambling Industry Lobbyists

Hawaii's known gambling lobbyists have numerous affiliations in common, plus intermingled business/financial interests and clients with likely conflicts of interest: (A) Boyd Gaming Company transports patrons from the Hawaiian Islands to its California casinos; (B) Casino Syndicate organized by MotorCity Casino interests wants to develop and operate a Las Vegas-style casino in Waikiki. While attempting to suggest their efforts aren't coordinated or known to one another, these amateurs have been sloppy with their fingerprints.

George A. Morris (aka G. A. Morris, G. A. Red Morris, George A. "Red" Morris, Red Morris), affiliated with Capitol Consultants of Hawaii (president) and G. A. Morris, Inc. (a partner in Capitol Consultants of Hawaii). Clients: Marketing Resource Group (MRG) for a Detroit casino syndicate organized by Michael J. Malik, Sr. and Mrs. Marian Ilitch (CCM Merger/Detroit Entertainment dba MotorCity Casino); and Boyd Gaming Company (NYSE: BYD).

John H. Radcliffe, affiliated with Capitol Consultants of Hawaii (vice president and partner) and Radcliffe & Associates. Clients: Marketing Resource Group (MRG) for a Detroit casino syndicate organized by Michael J. Malik, Sr. and Mrs. Marian Ilitch (CCM Merger/Detroit Entertainment dba MotorCity Casino). It's believed he conceived and controls Citizens for a Better Way, LLC.

Elizabeth Hata Watanabe (aka Liz Watanabe, Liz Hata Watanabe, Elizabeth C. Watanabe, Elizabeth C. Jimenez) affiliated with Citizens for a Better Way, LLC as its only member and its manage; and Hata Foundation. Previous affiliations EHW LLC, EHW-II LLC, Hawaii's Big Deal Poker Tournament. Clients: Radcliffe & Associates which represents and receives payments from MRG's Detroit casino syndicate.

Locals' Perception Local
The Detroiters know that generally, locals in most communities are likley to resist the legalization of gambling or the expansion of gambling opportunities if such proposals are championed by outsiders (Las Vegas Casino Lords, Detroit Casino Syndicates, etc.). Trust is a key factor in approving proposals and locals are less likely to trust Las Vegas or Detroit casino operators whose interests might conflict with Hawaii interests. Not to mention, Las Vegas and Detroit have reputations tied to organized crime, higher crime rates, illegal activities, corruption, etc.

Truth is Detroit and Las Vegas Gambling Interests Behind Hawaii Schemes
That MRG (a PR firm) has retained the lobbyists on behalf of its Detroit Casino Syndicate client (MotorCity Casino) is intended to bury the truth that Detroit gambling interests are bankrolling and pushing Waikiki casino development schemes -- not Hawaiians!  Further, the last time the Detroiters were successful pushing plans for casino development, they were fronting for Las Vegas Gambling Lords.  Of the many yet unanswered questions: are the Detroiters via their PR firm actually bankrolling the Waikiki casino schemes on behalf of Las Vegas partners like Boyd Gaming for instance?  You're not likely to get a straight answer from the lobbyists or the Detroiter's PR firm.

See for yourself, the lobbyists hired to push the legalization of gambling in Hawaii were engaged by and are being paid by Detroit gambling interests with ties to Las Vegas Casino Lords -- not locals!

Search lobbyist registrations via the Hawaii Ethics Commission or click on the links in the Scribd.com box below.

See also,

• Marketing Resource Group: the Tom Shields-owned Political/PR Firm is a Slave to Ilitch/Malik Affiliates
• Hawaii's newest lobbyist spent big, catapulting her into the company of 'Big Boys;' Won't reveal identities of those who bankrolled schemes
• Lobbyist John Radcliffe was the First Person to Contribute to Neil Abercrombie's Campaign for Governor of Hawaii
• Hawaii Governor's New Communications Director was Paid Lobbyist for Int'l Gambling Magnate Sol Kerzner
• Capitol Consulants of Hawaii: Double Dipping Gambling Conflicts, Resume Padding Lies or Harboring Secret Partners?
• Detroiters' Lobbyist Laying Groundwork for Waikiki Gambling
• Boyd Gaming establishing first-hand knowledge of and developing customer base in Hawaii, could prove valuable to Waikiki Gambling Hall Operator

Ruse: Citizens for a Better Way, LLC

ruse  n. (rūs, rūz)

Definition:  strategem intended to mislead, deceive, or trick; conspiracy,wiley subterfuge.

Synonyms:  artful dodge, trick, deceit, deception, conspiracy, angle, sham, stunt, lie, ploy, maneuver, red herring, coup, dirty deal, gimmick, hoax, scheme, racket.

Example:  Citizens for a Better Way, LLC, is a ruse: bankrolled by secret interests who, for whatever reason, want to operate outside the norms of Hawaii's Ethics Commission; and designed by experienced labor and gambling industry lobbyists desperate for the appearance of "grassroots" support demanding approval of schemes to enable a Las Vegas-style casino in Waikiki.


Citizens for a Better Way, LLC at:
Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs
Hawaii Ethics Commission

Sen. Wakai's Affiliate Included in Lobbyist's Bankruptcy; LLC Reportedly Established to Lobby for Gambling in Hawaii Omitted

According to Court Documents filed in the Elizabeth Hata Watanabe bankruptcy case, she owes High Impact Communications located in Honolulu, $3,841.45, noted as a claim for general business services billed in 2010.

HighImpactPR.com | Testimonials

High Impact Communications is a Honolulu public relations firm owned by Glenn Wakai.  Watanabe is featured on the firm’s website: “Testimonials” page. 

“High Impact Communications has been there for me every step of the way. I could not be more satisfied. Glenn’s media strategy and crisis management plans have been key to my profitability. He is quick to respond to requests, takes an energetic approach to projects, and is such a joy to work with.”

- Liz Watanabe, Business Owner

It’s unclear what purposes Watanabe, or her affiliate(s), retained Wakai to provide.  She had closed down her failed O Lounge nightclub (EHW, LLC) and a short-lived restaurant operation (EHW-II, LLC) prior to 2010 but had organized a tax-exempt nonprofit, the Hata Foundation, to raise funds for other charities; and in 2010, that nonprofit was affiliated with Hawaii’s Big Deal: Poker Tournament, a reality TV show that aired on KHON Saturdays during Fall 2010.

Hawaii Sen. Glenn Wakai (D-15th)

As it turns out, Glenn Wakai, a Democrat, also serves as Hawaii State Senator, representing the voters of District 15: Kalihi, Moanalua Gardens, Salt Lake, Aliamanu, Foster Village, Hickam, Pearl Harbor, Pearl Ridge and ‘Aiea. 

Previously, Sen. Wakai served eight years in the State House of Representatives. He is the current vice-chair of the Senate's Committee on Economic Development and Technology, and is a member of the Committees on Ways and Means, and Agriculture.

Wakai was also a TV news reporter affiliated with KHON-FOX2 and KHNL News 8.  He formed High Impact in 2007.

According to the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii website, Wakai was to host the “Stars of Hope” fundraiser for Watanabe and the Hata Foundation in January 2011. Individual tickets were $100; tables of 10 seats $1,000; and sponsorships at $2,000. A blog associated with the Star-Advertiser notes that Sen. Will Espero was also Watanabe’s guest at the event; although there's been disclosure of any gift or payment to Espero.

Limited Liability Company Established &
 Managed By Elizabeth Hata Watanabe 

April 1, 2011, Watanabe reportedly organized and registered Citizensfor a Better Way, LLC (CFBW), with the Hawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (DCCA).  About April 2, she registered with the Hawaii Ethics Commission as a lobbyist for CFBW. Watanabe has not previously been registered as a lobbyist. CFBWs mission: Say No to Taxes…Yes to a Single Casino in Waikiki.  By all indications, Watanabe is partnering with career lobbyist John Radcliffe on this effort; but to what extent, is unclear because both have been mysterious and dishonest about details to date.

So, in her original Bankruptcy filing, Watanabe reported owing Sen. Wakai's firm  $3,841.45 but failed to inform the Bankruptcy Court of her affiliation with CFBW, a group she registered with DCCA about six weeks before filing bankruptcy. It's worthy of noting that Watanabe is the only member of CFBW and its Manager. On May 31^st, about two weeks prior to filing bankruptcy, Watanabe, as manager of CFBW, made payments of nearly $40,000 related to “Advertising Media” expenses.  It’s not clear what, if anything, Wakai’s PR firm might have received.  Watanabe and Radcliffe have yet to truthfully disclose where that money came from and to whom it was paid.

Oddly, CFBW failed to report any payments to lobbyist Watanabe as part of its required disclosures for the period ended April 30, 2011; although, as noted above, she is registered with the Ethics Commission.

During Hawaii’s 2011 legislative session, Radcliffe and Watanabe pushed for approval of SB 1247, a bill that would have allowed one commercial casino to be developed in Waikiki at the Aloha Tower and Marketplace.  

As a member of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, Sen. Wakai voted to approve SB 1247, moving it forward in the legislative process. 

@ Scribd.com: Various Documents Related to the Watanabe Bankruptcy

See also:

• Failed Nightclub Owner is a Shameless Self-Promoter
• Hawaii's 'Citizens for a Better Way' isn't a 'Citizens' Group After-all
• Founder of tax-exempt nonprofit produced 'Hawaii's Big Deal: Poker Tournament,' a reality TV show called the 'closest thing to legalized gambling in The Islands'
• Lobbyists Spent $40,000 Manufacturing So-Called 'Citizens' Group Support for Oahu Casino Scheme
• She Said: Here's what Hata-Watanabe had to offer after a recent visit to TheVerifiableTruth.com

Blogger Speculates Hawaii's Gov. Abercrombie Poised for Gambling Flip-Flop

CHANGING HAWAII'S POLITICS
Gambling in Hawaii, Gov. Abercrombie Sees The Light for a Single Casino?
10.08.2011

Well, no pun intended but, it’s “game on”. In an article this morning coming from The Star Advertiser, it was written that Gov. Neil Abercrombie is telling lawmakers he is willing to consider legalizing gambling next year.

Now I would link you to the article in The Star Advertiser in referring too but I don’t support their pay-to-view subscription policies. Anyhow…..

The issue of legalizing gambling in Hawaii has been on the legislative hot-plate for over 10 years. But within the same 10 years, the opposition to legalized gambling has put their foot down loud and clear.

So who wants the Casino? Citizens For A Better Way says there are real solid reason to support a single casino in Waikiki. They say over 3000 jobs to local people and a new tax revenue for the stat that will take the pressure off of social programs cut backs and teacher lay-offs.

So who doesn’t want a casino in Waikiki? For starters, the HPD and religious organizations and also the Boyd Gaming Corp., which operates the California, Fremont and Main Street Station hotels in Las Vegas, which are popular with Hawaii residents?... (More)

See also:

• Lobbyist John Radcliffe was the First Person to Contribute to Neil Abercrombie's Campaign for Governor of Hawaii
• Rogues Gallery: Hawaii Lobbyists G. A. "Red" Morris, John Radcliffe and company they keep...
• Hawaii Governor's New Communications Director was Paid Lobbyist for Int'l Gambling Magnate Sol Kerzner
• Hawaii's Former Governor John D. Waihee III Opposed Legalized Gambling in Hawaii
• Strange Bedfellows: Hawaii's Former Governor & Detroit's Gambling Promoter?

• Hawaii's 'Citizens for a Better Way' isn't a 'Citizens' Group After-all
• Lobbyists Spent $40,000 Manufacturing So-Called 'Citizens' Group Support for Oahu Casino Scheme
• There Can Be No Doubt Detroiters' Hawaii Lobbyist John Radcliffe Created Pro-Casino So-Called 'Citizens' Group'

• Boyd Gaming establishing first-hand knowledge of and developing customer base in Hawaii, could prove valuable to Waikiki Gambling Hall Operator
• Capitol Consulants of Hawaii: Double Dipping Gambling Conflicts, Resume Padding Lies or Harboring Secret Partners?

Hawaii Gambling Advocates Make Unsubstantiated Claims, False Representations; Won't Reveal Those Bankrolling Lobbying Campaign

Blogger's Note: John Radcliffe (a lobbyist & career union operative who is a confidante of Hawaii's Gov. Neil Abercrombie) and Elizabeth "Liz" Hata-Watanabe, his latest recruit, have failed to be forthcoming and instead demonstrate a conspiracy to mislead and even deceive Hawaii's journalists, voters, public officials and legislators in order to get approvals for their Detroit/Las Vegas clients to build a casino in Waikiki.

Entrepreneurs get rolling on Waikiki Casino idea

7.24.2011

By Richard Borreca

Liz Hata Watanabe is not one to sit on the sidelines. The former nightclub owner and entrepreneur has a new cause: getting Waikiki a casino.

Watanabe founded Citizens for a Better Way, an organization she says has more than 300 active members lobbying for a casino to provide new jobs and a new business for Hawaii...

That Citizens for a Better Way (CFBW) has “300 active members lobbying for a casino” is curious.  They may have used mainland money to fund an automated robotic telephone poll or canvas of voters, among whom 300 said they would support the idea of a casino in Honolulu, but that hardly represents “300 active members lobbying.”

Further, that Watanabe represents she has 299 other people actively lobbying for their casino schemes and yet the Facebook page for CFBW, activated more than six months ago, only has 14 fans or “Likes,” suggests someone’s exaggerating the truth again.

Not to mention, when Watanabe organized CFBW she did so as a limited liability company and in the paperwork she filed with the Hawaii Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs she specifically designated that CFBW would only have one member and it was Watanabe.

When Jim Dooley, an investigative reporter for HawaiiReporter.com asked lobbyist John Radcliffe & Watanabe where they were getting the money to support CFBW and how much they’d spent lobbying, they refused to reveal where the funds were coming from and told Dooley they would spend “very little.” Very little? 

But when Watanabe was mandated to file a lobbying campaign disclosures report in May 2011, they had spent nearly $40,000 on “Advertising Media.” Very little? Out of 230 entities that reported they’d spent money lobbying in Hawaii, only four spent more than CFBW; the truth is, the pro-casino group fronting for mainland gambling interests was among the Top Five Lobbying Spenders!

Elizabeth Hata Watanabe's $387,000 Bankruptcy

From the notice published in Pacific Business News, July 7, 2011, Page 33:

Case: 11-01679

Filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Hawaii
June 14, 2011 | Case: 11-01679
Elizabeth C. Watanabe (aka Elizabeth Hata Watanabe)
91-209 Kupiapia Place, Ewa Beach, Oahu 96706
Philip W. Miyoshi, attorney

Subsequent filings in the case (see Scribd.com box below) suggest it is a $387,000 Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.

Two other lawsuits are referenced in the court filings:

• Watanabe v. Costco, Case CV08-1-001118, personal injury;  and
• Central Pacific Bank v.  EHW-II, LLC, Case CV11-1-0201, contracts.

Among her various debtors, High Impact Communications, a PR firm owned by Hawaii State Senator Glenn Wakai, for business services provided in 2010.  Hata-Watanabe had closed down her failed restaurant and nightclub in 2008 & 2009 respectively.  In 2010, her affiliate the Hata Foundation, a nonprofit tax-exempt organization which Hata-Watanabe founded and serves as caretaker & Director partnered with a reality TV show that Hata-Watanabe executive produced, “Hawaii’s Big Deal: Poker Tournament.”

Failing to get a second season of “Hawaii’s Big Deal” off the ground, Hata-Watanabe eventually found herself partnering with lobbyist John Radcliffe, a Democrat representing labor and gambling clients, and entangled in a group called Citizens for a Better Way, LLC, in which Hata-Watanabe reported she organized, was the only member and its manager via an April 1, 2011 filing with the Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs. CFBW’s mission: Say No to Taxes…Yes to a Single Casino in Waikiki

Elizabeth Hata Watanabe

In disclosures filed with the Hawaii Ethics Commission and dated May 31, 2011, Hata-Watanabe represented that CFBW had spent nearly $40,000 lobbying for a Waikiki casino during March & April 2011.  She and Radcliffe refuse to disclose where the funds came from and who specifically the payouts went to. CFBW failed to report any payments to Hata-Watanabe.

Radcliffe and Hata-Watanabe specifically sought legislative support for SB 1247.  Senator Wakai had approved the bill February 24, 2011 as part of the Senate Ways & Means (WAM) Committee.

It’s unclear what services Senator Wakai’s PR firm had provide to Hata-Watanabe.  Further, it’s unclear what contact Hata-Watanabe might have had with Wakai lobbying for passage of SB 1247; amd also unclear who received the nearly $40,000 in “Advertising Media” payments made during March & April by Hata-Watanabe’s CFBW group.

Hawaii's newest lobbyist spent big, catapulting her into the company of 'Big Boys;' Won't reveal identities of those who bankrolled schemes

Blogger's Note: John Radcliffe (a lobbyist & career union operative who is a confidante of Hawaii's Gov. Neil Abercrombie) and Elizabeth "Liz" Hata-Watanabe, his latest recruit, have failed to be forthcoming and instead demonstrate a conspiracy to mislead and even deceive Hawaii's journalists, voters, public officials and legislators.

citizensforabetterway.com

Hawaii lobbying disclosures reveal that Citizens for a Better Way, LLC, (CFBWllc) a for profit enterprise organized on April Fool’s Day 2011 and purported to be a grassroots citizens’ committee, actually spent nearly $40,000 on a lobbying & advertising activity during March and April 2011.  The group was formed by gambling industry lobbyist John Radcliffe and associates at the Capitol Consultants of Hawaii lobbying firm.  Then they hooked up with Liz Hata-Watanabe, to help advance the lobbyists’ schemes intended to secure approval for a gambling syndicate from Detroit to develop and operate a Las Vegas-style commercial casino in Waikiki.

But when Jim Dooley (HawaiiReporter.com) queried them in April about their sneaky last minute efforts, Radcliffe and Watanabe danced around, played coy and Radcliffe told him they were spending “very little.” That's not the only lie he told in this conspiracy -- but more on that in the coming days.

In its infancy, CFBWllc spent very aggressively, and that catapulted the newbie to a place on the list of Hawaii's Top Five Biggest Spenders – 5^th out of approximately 230 entities that spent money lobbying. Only four others spent more: trial lawyers, soft-drink beverage producers, Philip Morris and the teachers association -- notoriously big spenders across the country!

Hawaii's Top 5 Biggest Spenders	Lobbying Expenses
1.       Hawaii Association for Justice (trial lawyers)	$119,424.04
2.       American Beverage Association (soft-drink beverage producers)	$90,585.95
3.       Altria Clients Services Inc. and its affiliates (Philip Morris)	$51,925.61
4.       Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA)	$41,210.18
5.       Citizens for a Better Way, LLC	$39,093.10

TheVerifiableTruth.com (TVT) has uncovered details, some which have already been shared, suggesting gambling lobbyist John Radcliffe -- a confidante of Gov. Neil Abercrombie -- and Radcliffe’s associates at Capitol Consultants of Hawaii, are the driving forces behind CFBWllc, their so-called "grassroots" "citizens" group; and Watanabe is their tool. 

Lobbyists at Capitol Consultants count among their clients a Detroit Casino syndicate (Michael Malik, Marian Ilitch/MotorCity Casino, Marketing Resource Group) and the publicly traded Boyd Gaming Company which has casinos in Las Vegas and across the U.S. and currently shuttles patrons back-and-forth from Hawaii to its California gambling halls. Both entities have significant investments and interests in Hawaii's gambling market.

Despite proof to the contrary, Radcliffe and Liz Hata-Watanabe, a person identified as the group’s founder, deny involvement by their gambling industry friend from Detroit and Las Vegas.  Then again, they have yet to disclose who is behind the group, truly.  After all, $40,000 isn’t a drop in the bucket -- especially since Watanabe has since filed bankruptcy.

CFBWllc was organized in a way to specifically avoid disclosing where the funding is coming from – at least for now. As structured, CFBWllc is only required to disclose expenses and even then, not detailed expenses, but buckets of spending as allocated into pre-established spending categories. Then again, that current simplified standard of reporting may be what contributes to their eventual downfall because they are amateurs with delusions of Jack Abramoff!

The next round of disclosures won’t be required until after the New Year.

Radcliffe and Watanabe have failed to be forthcoming and instead have, possibly with the participation of others, conspired to mislead and even deceive Hawaii's journalists, voters, public officials and legislators.  Examples like theirs contribute to the public's general mistrust of government and a belief, by many in our democracy, that corruption is the prevailing standard.

To review related content, click on the "Labels" found under social media share buttons at the bottom of this post or review these select posts:

• Failed Nightclub Owner is a Shameless Self-Promoter
• She Said: Here's what Hata-Watanabe had to offer after a recent visit to TheVerifiableTruth.com
• Failed Nightclub Owner is a Shameless Self-Promoter
• Really? She's Treasurer of the Honolulu County GOP Committee?
• Hawaii's 'Citizens for a Better Way' isn't a 'Citizens' Group After-all
• Lobbyists Spent $40,000 Manufacturing So-Called 'Citizens' Group Support for Oahu Casino Scheme
• There Can Be No Doubt Detroiters' Hawaii Lobbyist John Radcliffe Created Pro-Casino So-Called 'Citizens' Group'
• Citizens for a Better Way, a Group Fronting for Detroit Casino Syndicators in Hawaii, Establishes Digital Media Channels With Poor Result
• Capitol Consultants of Hawaii: Double Dipping Gambling Conflicts, Resume Padding Lies or Harboring Secret Partners?
• Strange Bedfellows: Hawaii's Former Governor & Detroit's Gambling Promoter?
• Founder of tax-exempt nonprofit produced 'Hawaii's Big Deal: Poker Tournament'  the 'closest thing to legalized gambling in The Islands'