Thursday, February 10, 2022

2 Democratic Hawaii lawmakers took bribes to steer bills

J. Kalani English 

Honolulu, HI -- The Associated Press reported Tuesday that a Hawaii Democratic state senator and Democratic state representative accepted bribes, including cash, Las Vegas hotel rooms and New Orleans casino chips, all for shaping cesspool legislation, according to the federal allegations. 

Cesspool legislation: how pleasant.

Former Senate majority leader J. Kalani English (D) tried to hide a $5,000 bribe when his vehicle was stopped by FBI agents in January of last year. He had just met with a business owner who benefitted from a law that deals with cesspools.

English's entire take overall was more than $18,000, according to prosecutors; this included the Las Vegas hotel rooms and cash for a crab dinner for his pals and family visiting from Tahiti.

English, 54, announced his retirement in May 2021, claiming that he was suffering from long-term effects of COVID-19 and a strong allergy to leis.  The Democrat represented east Maui, Molokai and Lanai, and he can do the hula hula like you've never seen if you grease his palm.

“Kalani is extremely remorseful and deeply sorry for his actions [now that he has been caught],” his attorney, Richard Sing, said in a statement. “He has cooperated fully with the Federal Government and will be taking formal responsibility in the form of a guilty plea to be completed in the coming days.”

A spokesperson for the state senate, Jacob Aki, said the senate was “unaware of these allegations.” He declined further comment and is nowhere to be found.

A charging document against state Rep. Ty Cullen, 41, (also a D) indicated that bribes he gladly took included casino chips and four cash payments totaling $23,000. It isn't known if the representative is being legally represented--what irony.

House Speaker Scott Saiki said Cullen submitted his resignation Tuesday. Saiki said the Hawaii Democratic Party will now need to begin the process of nominating another lawehala to replace Cullen.

Cullen represented Waipahu and West Loch on Oahu and was last seen at a local restaurant eating the famous humuhumunukunukuapua 'a fish special.

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It was not clear if Cullen and English received the alleged bribes from the same person but one thing for certain, both situations stank.

humuhumunukunukuapua 'a

Separate charging documents for each lawmaker said the bribe payer was someone having a business “well positioned to avail itself of publicly financed cesspool conversion projects.”

Both Democrats are charged with honest services wire fraud. If convicted, each faces a sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Like that's going to happen.


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