Hawaii Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke Indicted on Bribery and Fraud Charges

An Oahu grand jury has unsealed a 12‑count indictment against Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, accusing her of criminal conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery by a public servant, and falsifying campaign‑finance reports. Prosecutors say Luke accepted $5,000 checks from lobbyist Tobi Solidum in exchange for promoting a state contract that funded Covid‑19 testing sites run by the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii. Solidum allegedly promised additional contributions, linking the money to union support for Luke’s campaign.

Four co‑defendants were also charged: former state Representative Ryan Yamane, lobbyist and businessman Tobi Solidum, state airports administrator Ford Fuchigami, and former Public Utilities Commission chair Leo Asunción. Governor Josh Green has called for Luke’s resignation while Attorney General Anne Lopez pledged to pursue the case to its conclusion. Luke maintains she never knowingly accepted the contributions and has not entered a plea.