Sylvia Luke and four others were indicted in a major Hawaii state bribery scandal following a six-month investigation.
Sylvia Luke was indicted on criminal conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, and falsifying election documents following a comprehensive state investigation into corruption. The state attorney general’s probe, which stemmed from a federal bribery case, resulted in a 12-count grand jury indictment on Friday. The investigation identified several key figures involved in the scandal. Ryan Yamane, a former director of the Department of Human Services, was indicted on bribery and conspiracy charges. Ford Fuchigami, the Department of Transportation airports administrator, faces charges including obstruction of justice. Leo Asuncion Jr., the former Hawaii Public Utilities Commission chair, was also indicted for falsifying reports. Additionally, lobbyist Tobi Solidum was indicted for conspiracy and multiple counts of bribery. While the indictment does not allege Luke took direct cash, it highlights that Yamane and Fuchigami allegedly accepted cash payments from Solidum. Governor Josh Green suggested that Luke should consider a formal resignation to allow the state to move forward. Experts describe the case as the largest bribery scandal in Hawaii's history.