As both await sentencing, ex-police chief files for divorce from his wife

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha has filed for a divorce from his wife Katherine, a former deputy prosecutor.

The news comes as the two await sentencing in a massive public corruption case.

Both were convicted on June 27.

Louis Kealoha faces nine to 11 years in prison while Katherine faces 11 to 14 years for obstruction and conspiracy.

The petition was filed in state Circuit Court on Tuesday afternoon citing the typical request, saying the marriage is irretrievably broken.

Multiple sources say this has been discussed for weeks between the parties, but many question the timing.

Kealoha stood by his wife when federal prosecutors revealed that she was cheating on him with Hawaii County firefighter Jesse Ebersole, who admitted the affair in court when he pleaded guilty to lying to the grand jury about their secret meetings.

Kealoha also stood by his wife after she was accused of dozens of drug crimes with her younger brother, Dr. Rudy Puana. Trial for the siblings is scheduled for May.

Critics wonder if the divorce filing is another ploy for sympathy ahead of this month’s sentencing for both.

On June 28, federal judge J. Michael Seabright ordered Katherine Kealoha detained ahead of her sentencing. She remains at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center.

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