HONOLULU, HAWAII — Democratic Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and four others were indicted by an Oahu grand jury in an alleged bribery scheme involving state COVID-19 testing contracts.
The indictment includes charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, and falsifying campaign committee reports against Luke. Prosecutors claim that lobbyist Tobi Solidum offered to raise up to $70,000 for Luke’s campaign if she helped secure contracts for one of his clients.
Prosecutors say the alleged arrangement started at a dinner in January 2022, when Luke was chair of the state House Finance Committee. Luke has said she accepted two $5,000 campaign checks but denies that she traded government help for contributions or gave special treatment to any donor.
The indictment also names former state Rep. Ryan Yamane, state transportation official Ford Fuchigami, and former Public Utilities Commission member Leo Asuncion. Authorities have issued a no-bail warrant for Solidum, who is reported to have traveled to the Philippines.
Governor Josh Green, also a Democrat, has asked Luke to consider stepping down so the state can move forward. Luke had already taken unpaid leave after learning she was under investigation.
These are still allegations and have not been proven in court. Luke, like anyone else facing charges, is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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