Hawaii's Lt. Governor Faces Indictment in Corruption Scandal
WHO:
Honolulu Civil Beat - Ford Fuchigami was indicted for criminal conspiracy to commit bribery, use of false statements or entries, and obstruction of justice.
Honolulu Civil Beat - Leo Asunción was indicted for falsifying candidate committee reports, use of false statements or entries, and obstruction of justice.
Fox News - Sylvia Luke, Hawaii's Lt. Governor
Honolulu Civil Beat - Ryan Yamane, ex-state Representative
Honolulu Civil Beat - Tobi Solidum, local businessman
Honolulu Civil Beat - Ford Fuchigami, deputy director of the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation airports division
Honolulu Civil Beat - Leo Asunción, former chair of the Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission
Honolulu Civil Beat - Gov. Josh Green
Honolulu Civil Beat - Attorney General Anne Lopez
Honolulu Civil Beat - David Van Acker, Deputy Attorney General
WHAT:
Honolulu Civil Beat - The indictment includes allegations that Solidum promised Luke $70,000 in total, with $35,000 discussed at a dinner meeting.
Honolulu Civil Beat - Solidum's consulting business was paid more than $7 million for COVID-19 testing work, which allegedly overcharged the state.
Honolulu Civil Beat - Solidum's stepdaughter, Kristen Pae, received a $1 million dividend from an entity tied to her.
Fox News - Sylvia Luke was indicted for criminal conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery by a public servant, and falsifying candidate committee reports.
Honolulu Civil Beat - Ryan Yamane was indicted for criminal conspiracy to commit bribery and bribery.
Honolulu Civil Beat - Tobi Solidum was indicted for conspiracy to commit bribery and three counts of bribery upon a public servant.
Honolulu Civil Beat - The indictment alleges a $35,000 bribe tied to a COVID-19 testing contract.
Honolulu Civil Beat - Gov. Green called for Sylvia Luke's resignation.
Honolulu Civil Beat - Luke surrendered to law enforcement and posted bail set at $80,000.
WHERE:
Fox News - The alleged bribery discussions took place at Morton’s Steakhouse in Hawaii.
Honolulu Civil Beat - The investigation is based in Hawaii.
WHEN:
Honolulu Civil Beat - The grand jury indicted the individuals on a Friday.
Honolulu Civil Beat - The alleged bribe of $35,000 was discussed at a dinner on January 20, 2022.
Honolulu Civil Beat - Solidum wrote a $7,000 check to Fuchigami on January 30, 2022.
WHY:
Honolulu Civil Beat - The indictment stems from an investigation into an influential lawmaker who allegedly took $35,000 from a federal bribery suspect.
Honolulu Civil Beat - Solidum was seeking government money for COVID-19 testing contracts.
HOW:
Honolulu Civil Beat - The indictment describes Solidum's arrangement to give money to public officials to influence budget appropriations for COVID-19 testing, including a $7,000 check to Fuchigami.
Honolulu Civil Beat - The indictment details how Solidum promised Luke $35,000 during a dinner meeting.
Honolulu Civil Beat - Solidum allegedly arranged to give money to public officials to influence budget appropriations for COVID-19 testing.
(UPDATED July 25, 2026 19:21 UTC)
Ford Fuchigami and Leo Asunción have both been indicted on multiple charges, including criminal conspiracy to commit bribery and obstruction of justice, according to Honolulu Civil Beat. The indictment alleges that Solidum promised a total of $70,000 to a public official and that his consulting business overcharged the state by more than $7 million for COVID-19 testing work. Additionally, the indictment details an arrangement where Solidum provided money to public officials, including a $7,000 check to Fuchigami, to influence budget appropriations for COVID-19 testing.
--
(UPDATED July 25, 2026 15:17 UTC)
In a significant development in Hawaii, Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke, along with several others including ex-state Representative Ryan Yamane and local businessman Tobi Solidum, has been indicted on charges related to bribery and conspiracy. The indictment alleges that discussions about a $35,000 bribe tied to a COVID-19 testing contract took place at Morton’s Steakhouse, with Luke surrendering to law enforcement and posting bail set at $80,000. Governor Josh Green has called for Luke's resignation as the investigation continues into the alleged misconduct involving public officials.