SENATE PRESIDENT RONALD D. KOUCHI STATEMENT REGARDING PEITION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED $35,000 CAMPAIGN FUNDS

News Release from Hawaii State Senate, Jan 9, 2026

HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI - Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi (District 8 – Kauaʻi, Niʻihau) today issued the following statement regarding the petition relating to the alleged $35,000 campaign funds:

“Based upon the January 7, 2026 press release issued by Attorney General Anne Lopez, who stated that the State of Hawaiʻi will not initiate any investigation regarding the alleged $35,000 campaign contribution while the matter is still within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Justice and that 'any parallel state investigation into this matter conducted by any state governmental entity does not serve the interests of justice until the federal investigation has concluded,' the Hawaiʻi State Senate will await notice from the Department of the Attorney General with regard to its review of the federal investigation and its pending course of action.

“Additionally, all current sitting Senators have been asked as to whether they received the alleged funds and/or if they know any legislator who received the alleged funds.

“All majority Senate members have stated that they did not receive the alleged funds and do not know any legislator who received the alleged funds.

“None of the minority members responded to my inquiry.”

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RELATED:

Jan 8, 2026: $35K Bribe: AG Claims Feds Agree with her Decision to do Nothing

Jan 7, 2026: "$35K Bribe? Not Me!" -- Signed by Every House Member Sitting in 2022

KITV: Hawaii Attorney General declines to look into $35k bribery claim | Politics | kitv.com  The Hawaii GOP responded by calling for accountability: "We call for the House to open a state-level investigation into the legislator linked to the $35,000 in question. We believe this step is essential to ensure transparency and accountability.  At a minimum, the appropriate House committee should be tasked with identifying the legislator involved and ensuring the facts are fully brought to light."