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Man fined $2K for sports betting

WAILUKU – A Kahului man was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine for his participation in an illegal sports betting operation.

Richard Inamasu, 72, was given a chance to keep a conviction off his record for first-degree promotion of gambling if he follows court requirements for the next four years.

In arguing for the deferral last week, his attorney, William Sloper, said Inamasu “hasn’t had any run-ins with the law in over 20 years.”

“This has definitely been a learning experience for him,” Sloper said.

He said Inamasu had appeared in court numerous times while the case was pending over the past five years. “That in and of itself is going to keep him out of the criminal justice system,” Sloper said.

He asked that the fine reflect Inamasu’s limited income and “limited involvement” in the case.

Second Circuit Judge Peter Cahill said he determined the amount of the fine based on what Inamasu pays himself in his business.

Inamasu had pleaded no contest to the first-degree gambling charge, with other counts dismissed in exchange for his plea.

He was among 23 people arrested and charged with allegedly participating in the betting operation from Oct. 3 to Dec. 21, 2015.

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