A Honolulu prosecutor has been suspended while superiors investigate why he gave thousands of dollars to three victims of an alleged assault.

City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle told TV station KHON on Friday that the case involving Deputy City Prosecutor Russell Uehara raises the appearance of potential corruption. And so, Carlisle says, it will be thoroughly investigated by his office.

According to Carlisle, Uehara said he distributed three checks, each for $1,500, because he was upset that the assault case had been dismissed and he felt it was a way to atone for what had happened.

Anna Naeole is related to the three victims. She says Uehara told them he had "screwed up," that he hadn't done his job. But she says the family didn't know what to think.