Bribery Charges: Sylvia Luke, Ex-State Rep And Others Indicted In Corruption Case - Honolulu Civil Beat

What the report says

Honolulu Civil Beat reported that a Hawaiʻi grand jury indicted Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, former state Rep. Ryan Yamane, businessman Tobi Solidum and others on Friday in a corruption case tied to alleged bribery involving state funding and campaign activity. Luke was charged with criminal conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery by a public servant and falsifying candidate committee reports. Yamane and Solidum also face bribery-related charges, while Ford Fuchigami and Leo Asunción were indicted on counts including false statements or entries, obstruction of justice or campaign-reporting violations.

According to Civil Beat’s account of the indictment, prosecutors allege Solidum, who sought government money for Covid testing, promised Luke $35,000 as part of a larger $70,000 amount during a Jan. 20, 2022 dinner at Morton’s Steakhouse. The outlet reported that the indictment does not directly say the $35,000 was delivered. Prosecutors also alleged Yamane received money from Solidum while working to secure funds related to Solidum’s Covid testing contracts; Deputy Attorney General David Van Acker told the court prosecutors viewed Yamane as the most culpable person factually.

Civil Beat reported that Judge Ronald Johnson set Luke’s bail at $80,000 after prosecutors sought $100,000, and that Luke surrendered Friday evening and posted bail. Gov. Josh Green, who had previously placed distance between his administration and Luke while she was on administrative leave, called on her to consider resigning so the state could move forward.

The case follows years of public attention on Hawaiʻi political corruption, including earlier federal bribery prosecutions involving former lawmakers. Attorney General Anne Lopez said her office’s special investigations unit had followed the facts, while declining to answer reporters’ questions.