Sylvia Luke, the lieutenant governor for the state of Hawaii and a Democrat, is facing a grand jury indictment for criminal conspiracy that comes from an investigation into corruption in the state.
She is accused of conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery and falsifying reports – all over a bribe she allegedly took as a state lawmaker in 2022.
A report at Fox explains the charges that lobbyist Tobi Solidum offered Luke a $35,000 bribe linked to a COVID-19 testing contract.
Also indicted were Solidum and former state representative Ryan Yamane, Hawaii’s Transportation Department official Ford Fuchigami, and Leo Asunción, a former official for Hawaii’s public utilities commission.
All were caught as part of Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez’s January investigation which was prompted by a federal bribery investigation.
Solidum is accused, just as a client’s contract regarding testing was about to expire, of meeting with Luke and giving her two $5,000 checks payable to her campaign committee.
“By next week, we’ll have 35, so it will be halfway to our 70,” Solidum allegedly told Luke, the indictment said.
Luke’s response, according to the charges? “Oh wow. That’s terrific.”
Luke has admitted taking those checks, but has denied accepting any others.
“I never granted special favors to a contributor,” she claimed.
The report said the indictment also argues that Solidum appeared to be attempting to leverage Luke’s upcoming run for lieutenant governor.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green already has asked for Luke’s resignation.
He said, “The lieutenant governor needs to consider formally resigning to address this matter and so that the state of Hawaiʻi can move forward.”
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[ H/T WorldNetDaily ]
