Hawaii Officials Charged in Bribery Case Enter Not Guilty Pleas

Four current and former Hawaii officials indicted in a public-corruption probe pleaded not guilty on Thursday, and a trial has been set for September 28.

In a Honolulu courtroom, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, former Rep. Ryan Yamane, Department of Transportation airport administrator Ford Fuchigami, and state planning official Leo Asuncion each entered not-guilty pleas after being indicted on bribery and false campaign-finance charges. Prosecutors say the four conspired with lobbyist Tobi Solidum, who promised Luke $35,000 or more in campaign contributions in exchange for state funding of a COVID-19 testing effort, and also bribed Fuchigami and Yamane with cash and checks to sway legislation.

Solidum, also facing three bribery counts, was absent from the hearing and is reportedly located in the Philippines. Judge Ronald Johnson accepted the pleas and set a trial date for September 28, while allowing Yamane a short trip to the mainland to accompany his son to college. Defense counsel for the defendants expressed skepticism about the prosecution’s case and the rapid trial schedule, suggesting political motivations behind the charges.