Hawaii’s Democratic lieutenant governor has been indicted in a major public corruption case involving alleged bribes, campaign contributions, and state funding for COVID-19 testing. An Oahu grand jury charged Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke with criminal conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, and falsifying candidate committee reports. Four other people, including a former Democratic state representative and a state transportation official, were also charged in the 12-count indictment. The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The indictment was announced Friday by Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez and Supervising Deputy Attorney General David Van Acker following a six-month state investigation. The alleged conduct occurred primarily in 2021 and 2022, when Luke served as chairwoman of the powerful Hawaii House Finance Committee and was preparing to run for lieutenant governor. Prosecutors allege that businessman and lobbyist Tobi Solidum sought continued government funding for a network of community COVID-19 testing sites. They contend that Solidum offered money and campaign support to public officials whose actions could help preserve that funding.
A central part of the indictment concerns a January 20th, 2022 dinner at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Honolulu attended by Luke, Solidum, former state Rep. Ty Cullen (D-HI), and Solidum associate Kristen Pae. Prosecutors allege that Pae placed an envelope containing two $5,000 checks on the table in front of Luke. The checks, written to Friends of Sylvia Luke, allegedly came from Solidum and Pae. Luke reportedly thanked them, picked up the envelope, and placed it inside her handbag.
The state investigation grew out of a broader federal corruption case involving Cullen and former state Sen. Jamie Kalani English (D-HI), both of whom were convicted of honest-services wire fraud in 2022. In a January 2026 release, the Hawaii Attorney General’s Office said a previously sealed federal filing described Cullen recording a meeting at which an unnamed “influential state legislator” accepted approximately $35,000 for an existing campaign. State officials initially delayed their own investigation because federal prosecutors warned that a parallel inquiry could interfere with the continuing federal case. The federal government later agreed to share evidence with the state, allowing Lopez’s office to begin its investigation.
According to the indictment details reported by Kauai Now, Solidum told Luke during the steakhouse dinner, “By next week we’ll have 35, so it will be halfway to our 70.” Luke allegedly replied, “Oh wow,” and then said, “That’s terrific.” Solidum continued, “So I’ll get you your 70 but just gotta get to that point okay? It’s our fundraiser.” He later allegedly told her, “We’ll follow through the 70,000 at least,” while promising that additional checks would be provided.
Prosecutors allege the campaign contributions were connected to Solidum’s efforts to obtain additional public money for COVID-19 community testing. According to the indictment, Solidum told Cullen before the dinner that Luke was “Running for LG now” and added, “All I gotta do is give her more money.” The two $5,000 checks were deposited into the Friends of Sylvia Luke campaign account the following day. Luke’s Finance Committee later advanced an emergency appropriations bill containing funding for the state Department of Health’s continuing COVID response.
The allegations extend well beyond Luke. Yamane was indicted for conspiracy to commit bribery and bribery, while Fuchigami was charged with conspiracy, bribery, making a false statement, and obstruction of justice. Asuncion, a former Luke campaign treasurer, was charged with falsifying candidate committee reports, making a false statement, and obstruction. Solidum faces four conspiracy counts and three bribery counts and was described in the indictment as having been continuously absent from Hawaii.
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Prosecutors allege Luke and Asuncion filed a campaign report that failed to disclose the two $5,000 contributions. Luke previously acknowledged receiving and later returning two campaign checks totaling $10,000, but she denied accepting $35,000 in cash inside a paper bag or granting favors in exchange for campaign money. She went on indefinite unpaid leave in April after her attorney confirmed that she had received a target letter from the Attorney General’s Office. Luke also ended her campaign for reelection as the state investigation continued.
Bail was set at $80,000 for Luke, Fuchigami, and Asuncion, while Yamane’s bail was set at $150,000. Gov. Josh Green issued a statement calling on his fellow Democrat to consider leaving office following the indictment. “The Attorney General announced significant developments in her department’s corruption investigation and has provided an update on their findings,” Green said. “The Lieutenant Governor needs to consider formally resigning to address this matter and so that the state of Hawaiʻi can move forward.”
Watch a Democrat Congressman totally freak out when leftist corruption got exposed during a Congressional hearing here: