Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Indicted on Corruption Charges

Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke was indicted by a grand jury on charges including criminal conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, and falsifying candidate committee reports. The charges stem from an alleged bribe she received while serving as a state lawmaker in 2022. Local businessman and lobbyist Tobi Solidum is accused of offering Luke a $35,000 bribe related to a COVID-19 testing contract with the state. Solidum, along with four others, including former state representative Ryan Yamane and Hawaii’s Transportation Department official Ford Fuchigami, was also indicted as part of the state attorney general's investigation, which began in January and is connected to a federal bribery probe. Luke admitted to accepting two $5,000 checks from Solidum but denied taking additional money or allowing it to influence her lawmaking. Following the indictment, Hawaii Governor Josh Green called for Luke to resign, stating that it is necessary for the state to move forward.