Pasadena police launch internal probe after officer accused of withholding evidence

The Pasadena Police Department has launched an internal investigation into one of its own after receiving a complaint alleging a detective concealed evidence in a criminal case.

A 32-page complaint from attorney Michael Kraut, published online by the Pasadena Star-News, alleges Pasadena Police Officer Kevin Okamoto violated the law and made false statements in declining to turn over evidence that might have helped clear a man accused of battery.

The information Okamoto failed to turn over to prosecutors, Kraut alleged in his April 5 letter, was “either exonerating evidence, or leads to exonerating evidence.”

The case stems from a 2010 beating outside Wokcano Restaurant in Lounge in Old Pasadena. Edward Damas was charged with striking a DJ, Philip Amaro, after breaking up a previous fight. Amaro suffered a shattered jaw, loss of hearing in one ear and paralysis on the right side of his face, according to Pasadena police.

Kraut represents Damas, who claims he did not punch Amaro.

Kraut alleges Okamoto failed to provide attorneys with contact information for two eyewitnesses whose version of events may have helped the defense, Kraut stated. One of those witnesses stated that she did not see Damas take a swing at the victim. Audiotapes of nine interviews by Pasadena police had not been turned over to the defense, Kraut stated.

Under oath, Okamoto said he didn’t turn over the material because he determined it wasn’t relevant and “it didn’t help his case,” according to Kraut’s complaint.

Kraus also alleged Okamoto violated his client’s right to counsel by sending another suspect in the beating, Alexander Andres, to solicit incriminating statements from Damas while wearing a wire.

A May 16 pretrial hearing is scheduled for Damas at Pasadena Superior Court.

Okamoto was reassigned from investigations to patrol in February. Pasadena Police Lt. Phlunte Riddle said the change was part of the normal rotation and has nothing to do with the Damas case.

“The complaint is being thoroughly investigated by the internal affairs section and they will present their findings to the chief of police when it’s completed,” Riddle said. She said there is no timeline for completion of the internal investigation.

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-- Adolfo Flores, Times Community News

Twitter: AdolfoFlores3