Hawaii AG Launches Corruption Probe into Unidentified Lawmaker

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke denies taking $35,000 in a paper bag, but acknowledges she may be the target of the investigation.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Hawaii Attorney General Anne E. Lopez announced a criminal public corruption probe into an unidentified state lawmaker who allegedly received $35,000 in a paper bag while being recorded by an FBI informant. Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke refused to say whether she has been subpoenaed or interviewed as part of the investigation, but acknowledged she may be the lawmaker in question. The probe arose from a federal bribery case that sent former state Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English and Ty J.K. Cullen, Luke's former vice chair, to prison.

Why it matters

The corruption investigation has consumed Hawaii politics at the start of an election year, raising questions about transparency and accountability in state government. The probe also highlights ongoing concerns about the influence of money in politics, as several lawmakers have returned campaign contributions from figures involved in the case.

The details

According to the Attorney General, the state has issued multiple subpoenas and completed several interviews as part of the investigation. Lt. Gov. Luke acknowledged she may have been the lawmaker recorded by the FBI informant Cullen at a January 2022 dinner with a lobbyist and his daughter. Luke said she returned $10,000 in donations from the lobbyist and his daughter after Cullen and English pleaded guilty in the federal bribery case, but did not report it due to a 'clerical oversight'.

  • The alleged incident occurred at a dinner on January 20, 2022.
  • Cullen and English pleaded guilty in the federal bribery case in 2022.
  • Cullen was sentenced to 2 years in prison in April 2023.
  • English was sentenced to 40 months in prison in July 2022.
  • The state corruption probe was announced on January 20, 2026.

The players

Anne E. Lopez

The Hawaii Attorney General leading the criminal public corruption probe.

Sylvia Luke

The Hawaii Lieutenant Governor who may be the target of the corruption investigation.

Ty J.K. Cullen

The former vice chair of the House Finance Committee who served as an FBI informant and was sentenced to 2 years in prison for bribery.

J. Kalani English

The former state Senate Majority Leader who was sentenced to 40 months in prison for bribery.

Milton J. Choy

The former Honolulu wastewater executive who bribed Cullen and English, and died in federal custody in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“The Attorney General underscored her department's independence and emphasized the importance of allowing her and her team to follow the facts in their ongoing investigation.”

— Sylvia Luke, Lieutenant Governor (Instagram)

“If a crime has been committed, I will prosecute it to the fullest extent of the law.”

— Anne E. Lopez, Hawaii Attorney General (thegardenisland.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the unidentified lawmaker out on bail.

The takeaway

This investigation highlights the ongoing challenges of rooting out corruption in Hawaii's political system, and the need for greater transparency and accountability to maintain public trust in government.