Hawaii’s Second-in-Command Faces Bribery Indictment in COVID Contract Scandal

Clear Facts

• Democratic Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke indicted on criminal conspiracy, bribery, and falsifying campaign finance reports related to alleged $35,000 bribe in 2022
• Businessman-lobbyist Tobi Solidum allegedly offered Luke bribes connected to COVID-19 testing contract worth potentially $70,000
• Four other officials indicted in state corruption probe; Hawaii Governor Josh Green called for Luke’s immediate resignation

Democratic Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke was indicted by a grand jury on serious corruption charges including criminal conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, and falsifying candidate committee reports. The charges stem from an alleged bribe she took as a state lawmaker in 2022.

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 state Attorney General Anne Lopez’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. All five defendants were swept up in the January investigation, which was an offshoot of a federal bribery probe.

Solidum represented the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii, which had contracts with the state to provide COVID-19 testing sites. In January 2022, with his client’s contracts set to expire soon, Solidum met with Luke at a steakhouse and allegedly gave her two $5,000 checks made out to her campaign committee Friends of Sylvia Luke, according to prosecutors.

According to the indictment, Solidum allegedly told Luke:

“By next week, we’ll have 35, so it will be halfway to our 70.”

The statement appeared to promise Luke $70,000 in total bribes. Luke allegedly responded enthusiastically:

“Oh wow. That’s terrific.”

Luke admitted to accepting the two $5,000 checks, but denied taking more than that and also denied any money influencing her lawmaking.

In a social media post, she stated:

“I never granted special favors to a contributor.”

She added that she “prized integrity and honesty above all throughout her career.”

The indictment also argues that Solidum appeared to be attempting to leverage Luke’s upcoming run for lieutenant governor. Speaking about Luke to another state representative, Solidum allegedly said:

“All I gotta do is give her more money now.”

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green called for Luke to resign hours after the indictment was announced.

Green told local outlet Maui Now on Friday:

“The lieutenant governor needs to consider formally resigning to address this matter and so that the state of Hawaiʻi can move forward.”

The corruption probe reveals yet another instance of public officials allegedly exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic for personal financial gain. The investigation continues as federal and state prosecutors work to hold those involved accountable for betraying the public trust during a national health crisis.

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