DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL INDICTS WOMAN FOR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION OFFENSES
News Release from Hawaii Attorney General, Sept 3, 2025
HONOLULU — The Department of the Attorney General’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division (“SIPD”) charged Terri Ann Otani, 70, with four counts of False Name Contribution that occurred in 2020. In each count lodged on August 28, Otani is alleged to have intentionally or knowingly contributed to a candidate or candidate committee in a name other than hers. False Name Contribution is a Class C felony offense punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The Campaign Spending Commission referred this matter to the Department of the Attorney General for an investigation. The investigation was conducted by SIPD, which is the state of Hawaiʻi’s primary law enforcement unit responsible for investigating and prosecuting corruption, fraud and economic crimes.
Attorney General Anne Lopez stated, “Campaign contribution laws are important safeguards that ensure the integrity of our electoral process. The Department of the Attorney General will vigorously investigate and prosecute individuals that violate those laws.”
Otani’s arraignment is scheduled for September 8, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. The case, State v. Terri Ann Otani, 1CPC-25-0001049, is being prosecuted by SIPD Deputy Attorney General Thomas Michener.
Otani is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The public can report corruption, fraud and economic crime to the Department of the Attorney General’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division using the Submit a Tip to SIPD website, which is https://ag.hawaii.gov/sipd/tips/. If there is an emergency or immediately threat to life, please call 911.
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