Jon Riki Karamatsu, the former vice speaker of the House and deputy city prosecutor, was found guilty Wednesday of operating a motor vehicle under an intoxicant, according to the state Attorney General’s office.

Ruling from the bench, Judge David Lo sentenced Karamatsu to five days in jail and a $1,000 fine but stayed the sentence pending appeal.

Karamatsu was arrested April 4 for driving under the influence, but the 40-year-old refused a breathalyzer test. He resigned as Honolulu deputy prosecutor the following week after serving under Prosecutor Keith Kaneshiro for over four years.

Prior to being prosecutor, Karamatsu was a House lawmaker. He resigned as vice speaker in 2007 after driving drunk on Moanalua Freeway and crashing into a concrete pillar. He pleaded no contest to driving under the influence, lost his license for six months, but continued serving as a lawmaker.

Karamatsu ran for lieutenant governor in 2010 instead of seeking another term in the House but lost in the Democratic primary by a wide margin.

Jon Riki Karamatsu.
Jon Riki Karamatsu. Courtesy: KITV

About the Author