Lawmakers, department heads urged to disclose any ties to bribery probe

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Lawmakers and government leaders with ties to the state’s public corruption investigation are being urged to disclose any involvement as the criminal case widens.

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Current and former high-ranking politicians and state department leaders are already wrapped up in the attorney general’s criminal investigation.

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke took an unpaid leave of absence in April after receiving a target letter.

Leodoloff “Leo” Asuncion Jr., former Hawaii Public Utilities Commission chair, also received a target letter in April. He abruptly left his position last November.

Former state Rep. Ryan Yamane stepped down as head of the prominent state Department of Human Services last month after he was subpoenaed to testify in the case.

This state investigation spawned from the federal bribery case that landed former state Rep. Ty Cullen and former state Sen. Kalani English in prison.

“If you are a current sitting legislator and you are involved in the attorney general’s investigation in any capacity, whether it was being subpoenaed, whether you received a target letter, or whether you were just questioned generally to provide insight, you should come forward,” said state Rep. Kanani Souza, co-chair of the Good Government Caucus.

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Souza, a former deputy city prosecutor, said disclosing that information is important given the cloud of suspicion over the political offices.

HNN political analyst Colin Moore said disclosure is important for voters who will go to the polls in August. “We don’t know who else may be dragged into this ultimately,” he said.

Camron Hurt of the watchdog group Common Cause Hawaii said being upfront is important for public trust.

“Somebody coming forward and taking accountability would be something that could restore a lot of faith, not just in the system, but also in community,” Hurt said. “I do not think we should hold our breath for that to happen.”

There have been few substantial updates on the investigation from the attorney general’s office, which has cited the need for secrecy to preserve the integrity of the process.

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The primary election is Aug. 6.