Title
RESOLUTION 25-120, AUTHORIZING THE EMPLOYMENT OF SPECIAL COUNSEL KOBAYASHI SUGITA & GODA, LLP, TO REPRESENT COUNTY AUDITOR LANCE TAGUCHI IN THE MATTER OF CHRISTOPHER SALEM’S MAY 8, 2025, COMPLAINT FILED WITH THE STATE OF HAWAIʻI DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS (GREAT-11(15))
Description
The Committee is in receipt of the following:
1. Resolution 25-120, entitled “AUTHORIZING THE EMPLOYMENT OF SPECIAL COUNSEL KOBAYASHI SUGITA & GODA, LLP, TO DEFEND COUNTY OF MAUI AUDITOR LANCE TAGUCHI IN THE MATTER OF THE MAY 8, 2025 COMPLAINT CHRISTOPHER SALEM FILED WITH THE STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS.” Resolution 25-120’s purpose is to authorize the retention of Kobayashi Sugita & Goda, LLP, as special counsel to represent County Auditor Lance Taguchi, as a County employee, in the matter of Christopher Salem’s May 8, 2025, Complaint filed with the State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, for a total compensation not to exceed $150,000.
2. Correspondence dated May 16, 2025, from the Department of the Corporation Counsel, transmitting a copy of the Complaint, filed on May 8, 2025.
Status
The Committee may consider whether to recommend adoption of Resolution 25-120, with or without revisions. The Committee may also consider the filing of Resolution 25-120 and other related action.
Note
With reference to this agenda item, one or more executive meetings are anticipated in accordance with Section 92-5(a)(4), Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, to consult with legal counsel on questions and issues pertaining to the powers, duties, privileges, immunities, and liabilities of the County, the Council, and the Committee; and Section 92-5(a)(8), Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, to deliberate or make a decision upon a matter that requires the consideration of information that must be kept confidential under a State or Federal law, or a court order.