Hawaii governor says Lt. Gov. should ‘consider’ resigning over corruption indictment

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green has made a lukewarm call for accountability from his Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke following a corruption indictment.

A grand jury indicted Luke on allegations of criminal conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery and falsifying candidate committee reports, relating to an alleged bribe she accepted in 2022 as a lawmaker.

According to Fox News, “the indictment alleges that local businessman and lobbyist Tobi Solidum offered Luke a $35,000 bribe connected to a COVID-19 testing contract a company he recommended had with the state.”

“Solidum was also indicted as part of the state attorney general’s probe, along with former state representative Ryan Yamane, Hawaii’s Transportation Department official Ford Fuchigami, and Leo Asunción, a former official for Hawaii’s public utilities commission,” the report continues.

“By next week, we’ll have 35, so it will be halfway to our 70,” Solidum reportedly said to Luke, which the indictment indicates was a promise to give her $70,000.

“Oh wow. That’s terrific,” Luke reportedly replied, according to the documents.

While she admitted to accepting two $5,000 checks, she denied receiving any additional money and further claimed that what she did take didn’t change her lawmaking.

ADVERTISEMENT

Green reacted to the indictment by saying Luke should “consider formally resigning.”

“The Attorney General announced significant developments in her department’s corruption investigation and has provided an update on their findings. The Lieutenant Governor needs to consider formally resigning to address this matter and so that the state of HawaiÊ»i can move forward,” he said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

X users reacted:

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT
Sierra Marlee

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles