Maui Won’t Let It Go, Appeals Police Case Against Publisher

Judge threw out case against MauiTime publisher, but county asks higher court to reconsider.

By /

Despite video evidence and a judge’s ruling, Maui County is apparently convinced it still has a criminal case against the founder of the island’s alternative weekly newspaper.

MauiTime Publisher Tommy Russo was arrested two years ago after filming police pulling over cars near the base of Haleakala during Operation Recon, which targeted drivers with illegal window tinting. The enforcement effort was backing up traffic, so he went to find out why it was necessary.

A judge tossed the case two weeks ago after determining the officers lacked probable cause, but Maui County officials filed an appeal Tuesday.

Tommy Russo

MauiTime Publisher Tommy Russo sits at his desk, Nov. 19, 2013.

Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat

Russo, who has a civil case pending for alleged police brutality, wrote a blog post about the decision that criticizes the county for wasting taxpayer money to continue pursuing the case.

Civil Beat profiled Russo last year as part of its Making Waves series. Read that story here.

In case you missed it, here’s the video of Russo’s arrest:

What it means to support Civil Beat.

Supporting Civil Beat means you’re investing in a newsroom that can devote months to investigate corruption. It means we can cover vulnerable, overlooked communities because those stories matter. And, it means we serve you. And only you.

Donate today and help sustain the kind of journalism Hawaiʻi cannot afford to lose.

Donate

About the Author