Hawaii’s Democratic lieutenant governor indicted in bribery investigation
Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke has been indicted by a state grand jury on 12 counts, including criminal conspiracy to commit bribery and falsifying campaign reports, linked to an alleged scheme to secure COVID-19 contracts in exchange for campaign contributions. The indictment, which could lead to up to 10 years in prison, also involves five co-defendants. Prosecutors allege that in January 2022, Luke received checks totaling $10,000 from businessman Tobi Solidum, who promised additional funds in exchange for COVID-19 testing contracts. Luke denies wrongdoing and has been on an indefinite unpaid leave as April 23, after being informed of the inquiry.Hawaii Governor Josh Green has called for her to consider resigning to allow the state to move forward.
Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke was indicted by a state grand jury over an alleged scheme to secure COVID-19 contracts in exchange for campaign contributions.
The 12-count indictment charged Luke, a Democrat, with criminal conspiracy to commit bribery and falsifying candidate committee reports, charges that carry up to a 10-year prison sentence. She was indicted by an Oahu grand jury along with five co-defendants, including businessman Tobi Solidum, former Democratic state Rep. Ryan Yamane, Department of Transportation airports administrator Ford Fuchigami, and former Public Utilities Commission Chairman Leo Asunción.
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Gov. Josh Green (D-HI) told Politico on Saturday that Luke should consider resigning.
“The Attorney General announced significant developments in her department’s corruption investigation and has provided an update on their findings,” he said. “The Lieutenant Governor needs to consider formally resigning to address this matter and so that the state of Hawaiʻi can move forward.”
Luke has been on an indefinite, unpaid leave of absence since April 23, when she was first informed by the state attorney general’s office that she was the subject of a bribery investigation.
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According to prosecutors, at a January 2022 meeting at a steakhouse, Solidum gave Luke two checks for $5,000 made out to her campaign committee. He promised tens of thousands more in exchange for a COVID-19 testing contract for the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii, which was a client of his.
Luke has denied any wrongdoing and has resisted calls to resign. She ended her reelection campaign in April, the same day she began her leave of absence.
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