Ex-Insurance Agent Gets 24 Days In Jail For Swindling Elderly People
By Gregg K. Kakesako, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser |
Perkins ordered Akashi to spend two days a week in jail for the next three months. He also placed Akashi on probation for five years and ordered him to perform 300 hours of community service beginning
Defense attorney
Akashi, who now has a part-time job parking cars, told Perkins that for the past year he has been treated for a "pathological gambling problem," acknowledging he stole money to pay off his debts.
"I am horrified and disappointed in myself," he said.
Akashi's parents in
Perkins said he imposed the jail term to ensure that Akashi has learned his lesson.
The state
Deputy Attorney General
"They also trusted him," Chun said.
After sentencing, Koza said he first met Akashi when he came to his home and knocked on his door, trying to sell him an insurance annuity.
"He just told me it was a good investment," said Koza, who worked for
Koza said he was 88 when Akashi sold him the annuity and told him he couldn't touch it for 10 years without paying a penalty.
Nevertheless, last year Akashi persuaded Koza to withdraw
Koza said that his "main concern was to prevent him (Akashi) from doing something to other people."
Ching's granddaughter
Beckett said she discovered the checks when her grandmother asked her to review her mail.
"He fooled my grandmother," Beckett told Perkins in court. "She is wonderful, trusting and honorable."
A state investigator, who investigated Ching's complaint, said a check of Akashi's files turned up Koza's name.
After the hearing, Beckett described the sentence as "fair," adding that her intention has always been to publicize how Akashi preyed upon elderly people like her grandmother.
In court, Akashi apologized to Ching and Koza and their families.
Ching did not attend because the elderly woman is now afraid to go outside or even answer her phone, Beckett said.
"She doesn't trust anyone."
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Source: | McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Wordcount: | 580 |
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