A former county councilman has lost his civil lawsuit against the county. ADVERTISING A former county councilman has lost his civil lawsuit against the county. Hilo Circuit Judge Glenn Hara ruled Monday Stacy Higa and wife Janice owe the county
A former county councilman has lost his civil lawsuit against the county.
Hilo Circuit Judge Glenn Hara ruled Monday Stacy Higa and wife Janice owe the county and former Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida more than $10,000 in legal fees to defend themselves from the lawsuit.
The suit, brought in 2008, claimed the county failed to represent Higa properly in a 2007 sexual harassment lawsuit brought against him by a former aide. Ashida was sued in his then-professional capacity.
The county settled with the aide, Melissa Chang, in 2010. Chang claimed she was sexually harassed by Higa and then threatened with retaliation by former Councilman James Arakaki if she tried to do anything about it.
Then-North Kona Councilman Kelly Greenwell told Stephens Media Hawaii in 2010 he thought the amount was “in the neighborhood of $22,000.”
Two other sources, including another council member, said at the time the settlement was at least $200,000.
