The process of divvying up the millions in cash and property left behind after the death of former Honolulu business owner and racketeering boss, Micheal J. Miske, Jr, will likely be the result of a negotiated settlement of the pending civil forfeiture lawsuit rather than the verdict of a judge or jury.

A document filed in federal court this week discloses that federal prosecutors have agreed to pursue a settlement with the attorney representing the Michael J. Miske, Jr. Living Trust, which is the primary claimant opposing forfeiture of Miske’s assets to the government. Three lenders holding recorded mortgages secured by Miske’s properties joined the two primary parties in requesting a 5-month continuance or delay in forfeiture proceedings in order for adequately prepare for negotiations between the government and the trust.

My story on the situation is posted on Civil Beat this morning (“Miske Case: Prosecutors Agree To Negotiate Settlement Over Asset Forfeiture“).

The deal between prosecutors and the San Francisco-based attorney representing the trust Miske established to hold title to his assets in the event of his disability or death is the first explicit indication the government is willing to cut a deal to avoid another long, complex and expensive trial in the case.

The disclosure came in a joint six-page stipulation asking for a five-month delay in the forfeiture proceedings to allow time necessary to prepare for and initiate settlement talks. The stipulation was filed in Honolulu’s U.S. District Court on Monday, and quickly approved by Magistrate Judge Kenneth Mansfield the same day.

The stipulation filed in court appears in full below.

Stipulation and order to continue proceedings in civil forfeiture against Michael Miske by Ian Lind on Scribd