Police investigating reported kidnapping of attorney tied to Kealoha corruption probe

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Honolulu police are investigating the reported burglary and kidnapping of an attorney with ties to the Kealoha corruption probe.

Attorney Chris Woo told police his ex-girlfriend and two other men broke into his Waikiki apartment on Tuesday morning. Woo claimed the suspects then forced him into his own car and drove around the island.

Woo’s ex-girlfriend, Shaye Taylor, allegedly pulled out a gun and threatened him.

According to sources, she also tried to hit Woo’s current girlfriend with his car.

Woo eventually escaped, and the suspects fled.

Taylor was arrested the next day in Kapolei on suspicion of first-degree burglary, kidnapping, first-degree terroristic threatening and a contempt warrant.

Woo is tied to the federal corruption probe against ex-Police Chief Louis Kealoha and his wife, Katherine, a former deputy city prosecutor.

Woo once represented Jesse Ebersole, a Big Island firefighter who told the court he had a long-term affair with Katherine Kealoha and said he lied to the federal grand jury to protect her and hide their romantic relationship.

Woo has had a series of run-ins with law enforcement in the last year.

In June, federal authorities sent Woo a subpoena to appear before the grand jury regarding the Ebersole case, but Woo missed his scheduled appearance and he was arrested.

Then in July, the FBI wanted Woo’s cell phone and laptop, but he claimed they were stolen.

In September, Woo’s handgun was also used by a convicted felon during a HPD raid in Waikiki. Police say the suspect pointed the gun at officers. Woo had also reported the gun was stolen.

Ken Lawson, a criminal law expert at the University of Hawaii, said the series of events is downright bizarre. “Too many incidents,” he said. “Guns being used in crimes, evidence coming up missing. It’s just bizarre behavior.”

Woo told police that Taylor is not only an ex-girlfriend, but a former client. He represented her as recently as February.

Woo’s law license has been suspended for non-payment, Hawaii News Now has learned, but it wasn’t immediately clear when the suspension was handed down.

Taylor has not been charged with any of the crimes relating to the alleged kidnapping, but she will remain in jail on the contempt warrant.

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