J. Kalani English, former Senate Majority Leader, tried unsuccessfully to conceal a $5,000 bribe envelope when FBI agents stopped his car in January 2021 following a meeting with a businessman who had benefited from the cesspool laws. According to a filing in U.S. District Court Honolulu on Tuesday.
English was bribed more than $18,000 by prosecutors, which included Las Vegas hotel rooms, cash for a crab dinner and cash for family and friends visiting from Tahiti.
English, 54, announced that he would be retiring in May 2021. He said that he was suffering long-term COVID-19 effects. The Democrat represented east Maui (Molokai) and Lanai.
Richard Sing, his attorney, stated that Kalani was extremely sorry and remorseful for his actions. He has fully cooperated with the Federal Government. A formal plea will be taken in the next days.
Jacob Aki, a spokesperson for the state Senate said that the Senate was unaware of the allegations. He declined to comment further.
According to a charging document, Ty Cullen (41), received four cash payments and casino chips in bribes totaling $23,000.
Birney Bervar, Cullen’s attorney, stated Wednesday that Cullen accepts total responsibility for his actions. He is expected to plead guilty next Tuesday.
Scott Saiki, House Speaker, said Tuesday that Cullen had submitted his resignation. Saiki stated that the Hawaii Democratic Party will now have to start the process of nominating Cullen’s replacement.
Cullen represented Waipahu, West Loch on Oahu, and Waipahu.
It wasn’t clear whether English and Cullen received the alleged bribes of the same person.
Separate charges were filed for each lawmaker. They stated that the bribe payor was someone who had a business “well placed to benefit itself from publicly financed cesspool transformation projects.”
Cullen was asked by “Person A” in December 2019 if he needed any help. Cullen replied that he was “paying a lot of debt.” Cullen’s charging documents stated that he received a $5,000 envelope the next month.
English also received the same amount of legislative assistance around the same time and said to Person A, “I definitely can use that right now.” According to his charging document, all the mortgages are due.
According to court documents, Person A later paid them to stop the bills.
They are both charged with honest services wire fraud. Each man could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
