Honolulu: The FBI has opened an investigation into the behaviour of state officials and other members of trade missions led by Governor Linda Lingle to China, South Korea and the Philippines over the past three years, according to The Honolulu Advertiser.

Federal law enforcement sources disclosed the nature of the investigation to the newspaper, but they did not want to be identified because the probe is ongoing. Lingle's former chief of staff, Bob Awana, allegedly gave money and gifts to women who served as escorts for officials and businessmen during a state trade mission to the Philippines in January 2006, said public defender Pamela Byrne.

Rajdatta Patkar, 44, was sentenced to a year in prison this week for blackmailing Awana over these claims. He will be deported to India after he completes his sentence.

Patkar cooperated with authorities in their investigation as part of a plea deal. He also agreed to return to Hawaii if he is needed for information or testimony. The FBI and federal prosecutors would not confirm the investigation to The Associated Press yesterday, even after it was discussed in vague terms during Patkar's court hearing Monday.

FBI special agent Brandon Simpson would not comment on the existence of the investigation, but he said, "there's certainly not any love lost" between Patkar and Awana.

US District Judge Michael Seabright sentenced Patkar to a term of six months less than prosecutors had requested. "Clearly when you look at the plea agreement, there is cooperation language in there," said US Attorney Clare Connors, who said any investigation would be handled by a different prosecutor.

Source : PTI