Hawaiʻi AG urged to expedite probe of state legislator who allegedly accepted campaign funds

Hawaiʻi House of Representatives last week passed House Resolution No. 8 with unanimous support, urging Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General to expedite the state’s investigation into alleged acceptance of campaign funds by a state legislator.

The resolution’s passage follows notice that federal authorities will share evidence with state officials, allowing the state attorney general to move forward with a parallel review.

“The House is formally requesting that the attorney general act without delay to advance the state investigation, as this matter has raised serious public concern and warrants a timely, transparent action,” said House Speaker Nadine Nakamura in a release about the resolution’s passage. “Members of the House have made multiple requests for state action, and we appreciate the cooperation of federal authorities, which now allows the state to move forward while preserving the integrity of the federal process.”

House Resolution No. 8 also requests the state Department of the Attorney General notify Hawaiʻi Legislature as soon as possible whether the legislator who is said to have accepted the $35,000 is a current member of the 33rd Legislature.

This follows formal announcements from the House and Hawaiʻi Senate in which their current sitting members publicly affirmed they are not the lawmaker referenced.

“In a bipartisan effort, the House Republican Caucus calls on the attorney general to immediately expedite the state investigation,” said House Minority Leader Lauren Matsumoto in the release. “We have been advised that an internal House review, which we have called for, would compromise the federal investigation. While we respect that process, it cannot justify delay.”

Hawaiʻi attorney general’s office announced Jan. 20 that its Special Investigation and Prosecution Division will lead the state investigation. The division is responsible for investigating and prosecuting matters, including public corruption, fraud and economic crimes.

“This division, established and funded by the Legislature in 2022, was created to handle matters of this nature and is the appropriate entity to conduct the investigation,” Nakamura said.

House Resolution No. 8 also requests the attorney general notify the Legislature upon completion of the investigation and provide a summary of findings for public release.

In addition to House Resolution No. 8, House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Chairperson David Tarnas of the Big Island introduced House Bill 1520, which addresses statute of limitations for campaign spending violations.

The measure provides that the limitations period for criminal prosecutions begins when the Campaign Spending Commission discovers the offense rather than being capped at five years from the date of the violation or filing of the report.

“The state investigation must move forward with urgency, transparency and accountability,” Matsumoto said.