Bribes? Democrat state official facing criminal indictment out of state corruption investigation * WorldNetDaily * by Bob Unruh

Sylvia Luke, the lieutenant governor for the state of Hawaii and a Democrat, is facing a grand jury indictment for criminal conspiracy that comes from an investigation into corruption in the state.

She is accused of conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery and falsifying reports – all over a bribe she allegedly took as a state lawmaker in 2022.

A report at Fox explains the charges that lobbyist Tobi Solidum offered Luke a $35,000 bribe linked to a COVID-19 testing contract.

Also indicted were Solidum and 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 were caught as part of Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez’s January investigation which was prompted by a federal bribery investigation.

The indictments against five people, including Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and current airports administrator Ford Fuchigami, followed a day-long grand jury session.

The investigation spawned from the federal bribery case that landed former state Rep. Ty Cullen and former state Sen.… pic.twitter.com/VT7r0uvsDL

— Hawaii News Now (@HawaiiNewsNow) July 25, 2026

Hawaii’s Democratic lieutenant governor indicted in state corruption investigation
Luke allegedly accepted campaign checks from lobbyist Tobi Solidum linked to a COVID-19 testing contract

Democratic Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke was indicted by a grand jury on charges of criminal… pic.twitter.com/enGaQoX077

— News News News (@NewsNew97351204) July 25, 2026

Solidum is accused, just as a client’s contract regarding testing was about to expire, of meeting with Luke and giving her two $5,000 checks payable to her campaign committee.

“By next week, we’ll have 35, so it will be halfway to our 70,” Solidum allegedly told Luke, the indictment said.

Luke’s response, according to the charges? “Oh wow. That’s terrific.”

Luke has admitted taking those checks, but has denied accepting any others.

“I never granted special favors to a contributor,” she claimed.

The report said the indictment also argues that Solidum appeared to be attempting to leverage Luke’s upcoming run for lieutenant governor.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green already has asked for Luke’s resignation.

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

Bob Unruh

Bob Unruh joined WND in 2006 after nearly three decades with the Associated Press, as well as several Upper Midwest newspapers, where he covered everything from legislative battles and sports to tornadoes and homicidal survivalists. He is currently a news editor for the WND News Center, and also a photographer whose scenic work has been used commercially. Read more of Bob Unruh’s articles here.