Former Hawaii State Legislators Plead Guilty to Honest Services Wire Fraud

Former Hawaii State Legislators plead guilty to honest services wire fraud, admitting to accepting bribes in exchange for legislative acts. This case highlights the consequences of public corruption and the importance of integrity in government.

The recent guilty pleas of two former Hawaii State Legislators, Jamie Kalani English and Ty J.K. Cullen, have shed light on a case involving honest services wire fraud. English and Cullen each pleaded guilty to one count of honest services wire fraud, admitting to accepting multiple bribes in exchange for performing legislative acts on behalf of a local businessperson in Hawaii. The court documents and information provided revealed a series of bribes paid to English and Cullen, including cash payments, hotel rooms, and meals at restaurants, all in exchange for legislative favors. Both defendants now face potential imprisonment and hefty fines as they await their sentencings in July. This case underscores the serious consequences of public corruption and serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding integrity and accountability in government.

Former Hawaii State Legislators Plead Guilty to Honest Services Wire Fraud

Introduction

In a shocking turn of events, two former Hawaii State Legislators, Jamie Kalani English and Ty J.K. Cullen, have pleaded guilty to charges of honest services wire fraud. The defendants accepted bribes in exchange for performing official legislative acts on behalf of a Hawaii businessperson. This case has shed light on the corruption within the state government and has brought into question the integrity of the legislative process.

Background Information

Corruption within the political system is a grave concern that undermines the principles of democracy and public trust. The case of former Hawaii State Legislators Jamie Kalani English and Ty J.K. Cullen highlights the extent to which individuals in positions of power can abuse their authority for personal gain. The discovery of their involvement in a bribery scheme is deeply concerning and necessitates a thorough examination of the state’s legislative processes.

Case Overview

The case against Jamie Kalani English and Ty J.K. Cullen revolves around their acceptance of bribes from a Hawaii businessperson in exchange for using their legislative power to benefit the individual’s company. Court documents and information provided in court proceedings revealed a series of bribes paid to both defendants over the course of several years. The bribes were given with the explicit expectation of receiving favorable treatment in the form of legislative assistance.

Defendants’ Guilty Pleas

Both Jamie Kalani English and Ty J.K. Cullen have pleaded guilty to charges of honest services wire fraud. By entering guilty pleas, the defendants have admitted to their involvement in the bribery scheme and have accepted responsibility for their actions. This is a significant development in the case and demonstrates the strength of the evidence against them.

Charges Against the Defendants

The defendants, Jamie Kalani English and Ty J.K. Cullen, have been charged with one count of honest services wire fraud each. The charges stem from their acceptance of multiple bribes in exchange for performing official legislative acts. Honest services wire fraud involves the use of interstate wires to facilitate a scheme to defraud the public of their right to honest services from their elected representatives.

Maximum Penalties

If convicted, Jamie Kalani English and Ty J.K. Cullen face maximum penalties of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. These penalties reflect the seriousness of the offenses committed and serve as a deterrent to others who may consider engaging in similar corrupt practices. The sentencing hearings for the defendants are scheduled to take place on July 5, 2022, before Senior United States District Judge Susan Oki Mollway.

Bribery Scheme Involving Jamie Kalani English

Court documents and information presented in court revealed a bribery scheme involving Jamie Kalani English, one of the former Hawaii State Legislators. Over several years, English accepted bribes from a Hawaii businessperson, identified as “Person A” in the court documents. These bribes were given with the expectation that English would perform, and agree to perform, official legislative acts on behalf of Person A’s company.

Bribes Paid to English

The bribes paid to Jamie Kalani English were detailed in court documents and shed light on the extent of the corruption. In June 2019, English requested that Person A provide him with two hotel rooms in Las Vegas for his use while attending a concert. In return for the rooms, English later emailed Person A a draft legislative report concerning cesspools, which could directly benefit Person A’s company. English also asked Person A to “host” him and his family at a local Honolulu restaurant for dinner in June 2019. Although Person A could not attend, he provided $500 to English for the dinner, which English accepted.

In January 2020, English introduced a Senate bill involving cesspools that could directly benefit Person A’s company. In return, Person A paid English $1,000. Then, on March 11, 2020, Person A met with English and offered him $10,000 in cash to kill the cesspool bill. English accepted the $10,000 stating “it’s easy to kill bills.” In January 2021, English accepted another $5,000 from Person A in return for anticipated legislative assistance. These bribes and gifts were not reported by English on his annual mandatory gift disclosure reports.

Conclusion

The guilty pleas of former Hawaii State Legislators Jamie Kalani English and Ty J.K. Cullen to charges of honest services wire fraud highlight the serious issue of corruption within the state’s political system. By accepting bribes in exchange for performing official legislative acts, the defendants violated the public’s trust and undermined the integrity of the legislative process. The maximum penalties they face serve as a deterrent to others who may consider engaging in similar corrupt practices. It is crucial that these cases are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to restore confidence in Hawaii’s government and ensure that elected officials are held accountable for their actions.