Church rep accused of trying to smuggle thousands in cash

HONOLULU — The Hawaii representative of a Philippine-based church is accused of trying to smuggle hundreds of thousands of dollars aboard a private jet.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports an indictment by a federal grand jury charged Felina S. Salinas Thursday with bulk cash smuggling for failing to report that she was carrying $335,000 in U.S. currency and $9,000 in Australian dollars in February.

She is also charged for helping the church’s founder avoid arrest and prosecution.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security investigators say Salinas declared that she was carrying only $40,000 in U.S. currency and $20 dollars’ worth of Philippine pesos in her carry-on bag.

Her lawyer, Michael Green, argues that officers did not Mirandize her before asking.

He says he will ask the court to throw out Salinas’ statement.

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Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com