Corruption Charges Against Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke

The coronavirus pandemic is resurfacing in a troublesome way for Hawaii’s Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, as a grand jury has indicted the Democratic Party on bribery charges. Allegations suggest that they secured funding for a virus testing facility in exchange for campaign contributions.

This supposed scheme occurred while Luke served as a state representative.

The indictment released on Friday follows investigations at both the state and federal levels into a campaign finance scandal, which also implicated a lobbyist and several other officials.

Prosecutors have accused Luke of receiving campaign contributions in 2022, while she was a state lawmaker, in return for facilitating funding for a COVID-19 testing facility.

A grand jury in Hawaii returned a 12-count indictment that charges Luke with various offenses, including “conspiracy to commit bribery and falsification of candidate committee reports,” as reported by the state attorney general.

Luke allegedly accepted at least $35,000 in campaign donations from lobbyist Tobi Solidum, in exchange for supporting a National Kidney Foundation-operated testing site.

Solidum, who also faces indictment, had served as a lobbyist and consultant for the foundation. Records show he is said to have wired two $5,000 checks to Luke during a January 2022 meeting at Morton’s Steakhouse to discuss COVID-19 funding.

According to Democratic Attorney General Ann Lopez, the investigation started in January and is part of broader corruption inquiries into federal officials.

Lopez remarked at a press conference that the commitment to uncover the facts remains strong, regardless of how long the process takes.

In light of these developments, Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green, also a Democrat, suggested that Luke consider resigning. He made this statement following an update from the Attorney General on the corruption investigation.

Five other individuals were also indicted, including Solidum, former state Representative Ryan Yamane, and officials from the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Public Works Commission.

Voters had selected Luke as the vice president alongside Green in 2022. She assumed office in April, coinciding with the initial revelations of the campaign finance investigation. Subsequently, she withdrew her bid for re-election.

In her absence, Governor Green has appointed Keith Regan, the Comptroller of the Department of Accounting and General Services, to serve as acting lieutenant governor.

As of now, Luke has not made any public comments regarding the allegations.