November 2008

U.S. Water News Online

HONOLULU — State Attorney General Mark Bennett is defending himself against allegations made by an attorney representing the owner of a Kauai dam that burst two years ago, killing seven people.

Bennett has scheduled a grand jury to consider criminal charges Kaloko dam owner James Pflueger.

Attorney William McCorriston has accused Bennett of unfairly targeting Pflueger to divert attention from the failure of state officials to inspect the dam.

Pflueger wants Bennett disqualified from the case, accusing the attorney general of conflict of interest.

Bennett said he and his office have done nothing that is in any way unethical or improper.

The century-old Kaloko dam released more than 300 million gallons of water when it broke in the early hours of March 14, 2006.

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