With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
The Hump: Feds Indict SaMo Restaurant, Chefs for Serving Whale Meat
Remember when Santa Monica's The Hump restaurant was busted for serving up whale meat? While the expose happened in 2010, and the restaurant closed soon after, the story has resurfaced now as the litigation moves forward.
A federal grand jury has returned a nine-count indictment charging the parent company of The Hump, Typhoon Restaurant, Inc., and two area chefs, Kiyoshiro Yamamoto, 48, of Culver City and Susumu Ueda, 39, of Lawndale, for selling meat from Sei whales, which are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to the Department of Justice.
The chefs are accused of ordering the whale meat from Ginichi Ohira, a Japanese citizen in the U.S., who had already been in trouble with authorities for selling a marine mammal product. Ohira then allegedly made a phony invoice noting the meat was "fatty tuna" and delivered the product to The Hump at the Santa Monica Airport. The conspiracy went on from 2007 until 2010 when the restaurant was busted.
Informants posing as customers were served the whale sushi, which they had DNA tested to determine the animal of origin.
Support for LAist comes from
On top of charges of conspiracy, the restaurant and Yamamoto are charged with smuggling, as well as the sale of a marine mammal product for an unauthorized purpose. Chef Yamamoto is also on the hook for telling other chefs at The Hump to lie about the whale meat, while Chef Ueda is also charged with making a false statement to federal investigators about the source of the whale meat.
If convicted, The Hump's parent company would face fines of $1.2 million, while Yamamoto would face a statutory maximum penalty of 67 years in federal prison, and Ueda would face a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist