Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke has been indicted on 12 counts, including bribery and falsifying campaign reports. The charges stem from allegations that she accepted campaign contributions in exchange for advancing a COVID-19 testing contract in 2022.
The indictment of a sitting lieutenant governor on bribery charges raises significant ethical and political questions for Hawaii's state government, potentially impacting its leadership and public trust.
Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke was indicted Friday on 12 counts, including bribery and falsifying campaign committee reports, according to the state’s Department of the Attorney General. The charges stem from a months-long investigation into allegations that Luke accepted campaign contributions from businessperson and lobbyist Tobi Solidum in exchange for assisting with a COVID-19 testing contract in 2022, when she chaired the state House Finance Committee.
Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez stated that the investigation followed the facts wherever they led. Luke’s office had not immediately responded to a request for comment, and she has not yet entered a plea. Governor Josh Green publicly called for Luke to resign to allow the state to move forward.
Luke was one of five individuals indicted in the case, which also includes former state Representative Ryan Yamane. The lieutenant governor had taken a leave of absence from her duties in April when the campaign finance investigation became public and subsequently ended her campaign for reelection.