Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke has been indicted by a grand jury on charges including conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, and falsifying candidate committee reports. The indictment alleges that Luke, in 2022 while serving as a state lawmaker, accepted a $35,000 bribe from local businessman and lobbyist Tobi Solidum. This bribe was reportedly connected to a COVID-19 testing contract for a company Solidum recommended.
Solidum, along with former state representative Ryan Yamane, Hawaii Transportation Department official Ford Fuchigami, and former public utilities commission official Leo Asunción, were also indicted as part of the investigation. The probe, led by state Attorney General Anne Lopez, originated from a federal bribery investigation and is an offshoot of that inquiry.
Prosecutors allege that in January 2022, with his client’s contracts nearing expiration, Solidum met with Luke at a steakhouse. According to the indictment, Solidum gave Luke two checks totaling $10,000, made out to her campaign committee, Friends of Sylvia Luke. Solidum also allegedly told Luke, “By next week, we’ll have 35, so it will be halfway to our 70,” indicating a promise of $70,000. Luke reportedly responded, “Oh wow. That’s terrific.”
Luke has acknowledged receiving the two $5,000 checks but has denied accepting further funds or that any money influenced her legislative actions. In a social media post, she stated, “I never granted special favors to a contributor,” and emphasized her career-long commitment to integrity and honesty.
The indictment further suggests that Solidum intended to leverage Luke's upcoming campaign for lieutenant governor. According to the documents, Solidum was quoted as telling another state representative, “All I gotta do is give her more money now.”
Hours after the indictment was unsealed, Hawaii Governor Josh Green publicly called for Luke's resignation. "The lieutenant governor needs to consider formally resigning to address this matter and so that the state of Hawaiʻi can move forward," Green stated to local outlet Maui Now.