State agencies declined to investigate third legislator in bribery case, internal letters show – Hawaii News Now

Report on Legislative Efforts to Address Public Corruption in Hawaii in Alignment with SDG 16

Introduction: Upholding Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

A bipartisan legislative initiative in Hawaii is actively seeking to address public corruption, a critical effort that directly aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16), which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. This report details the actions taken by state representatives to ensure institutional integrity following a bribery scandal.

Background: A Challenge to SDG Target 16.5

The initiative was prompted by a significant public corruption scandal that resulted in the federal imprisonment of two state lawmakers. The situation escalated with revelations that a third, unidentified legislator was allegedly targeted in a 2022 FBI operation for accepting $35,000. This allegation represents a direct challenge to SDG Target 16.5, which calls for a substantial reduction in corruption and bribery in all their forms. The potential for the case to fall outside federal jurisdiction has placed the onus on state authorities to act, testing the state’s commitment to this global goal.

Chronology of Actions to Promote Institutional Accountability (SDG 16.6)

In an effort to build effective, accountable, and transparent institutions as outlined in SDG Target 16.6, State Representatives Della Au Belatti and Kanani Souza have undertaken a series of formal actions:

1. May 19: A formal letter was sent to the acting U.S. Attorney requesting that all investigative materials concerning the unnamed official be shared with appropriate state agencies to facilitate a state-level investigation before the statute of limitations expires.
2. July 20: A subsequent letter was sent to the Hawaii Attorney General, the Campaign Spending Commission, and the State Ethics Commission. This letter relayed information from the U.S. Attorney’s office indicating that state law enforcement could directly request the federal investigative reports.
3. Advocacy for Proactive Investigation: The representatives urged the Hawaii Attorney General to proactively seek this information from federal authorities to initiate a state-level inquiry into potential violations of state ethics and campaign finance laws.

Responses from State Agencies

The responses from key state institutions highlighted a reactive rather than proactive stance on investigating the corruption allegations, raising questions about the effectiveness and accountability mechanisms required by SDG 16.

• Office of the Attorney General: Stated it “stands ready, able and willing to assist” federal investigators should they request assistance, but did not commit to initiating a request for information.
• Campaign Spending Commission: Expressed concern but stated it did not want to “jeopardize any possible criminal investigations that may be currently underway” by federal authorities.
• State Ethics Commission: Citing confidentiality rules, the commission chair could not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation into the matter.

A Call for Public Transparency and Participation (SDG 16.7 & 16.10)

Given the perceived inaction from state agencies, the legislative effort has pivoted to advocating for public hearings. This new approach directly supports SDG Target 16.7 (ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making) and SDG Target 16.10 (ensure public access to information). The push for open hearings is reinforced by a public petition on Change.org, signed by over 600 citizens, demonstrating a clear public demand for transparency and an end to corruption. However, this call for public accountability has reportedly met with resistance from some legislative colleagues, indicating a significant barrier to achieving the goals of institutional transparency.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The primary Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) addressed in the article is:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. This goal aims to “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.” The article’s focus on a public corruption probe, bribery among lawmakers, and the push for accountability from state institutions like the Attorney General’s office and ethics commissions directly relates to the core principles of SDG 16.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s discussion of bribery, institutional inaction, and calls for public involvement, the following specific targets of SDG 16 are relevant:

• Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms. The article is centered on a bribery scandal where two lawmakers were imprisoned and a third is alleged to have taken a “$35,000 bribe.” The efforts by Representatives Belatti and Souza to “clean up corruption within the ranks” are a direct attempt to address this target.
• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The article highlights a perceived lack of effectiveness and accountability. The representatives express disappointment that the Attorney General, Campaign Spending Commission, and Ethics Commission did not proactively investigate. The call to move from “closed investigations” to “public legislative hearings” is a clear demand for more transparent and accountable institutional processes.
• Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The initiative by the representatives to involve the public through a Change.org petition, which garnered over 600 signatures, demonstrates a push for more participatory governance. Their demand for open hearings is an effort to make the legislative process more responsive to public calls for transparency and justice.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator for Target 16.5: The article provides concrete instances of corruption that can serve as an indicator. The mention of “two other lawmakers” sent to federal prison and the specific allegation of a “$35,000” bribe against a third legislator are qualitative and quantitative data points measuring the prevalence of bribery among public officials. The number of officials investigated or prosecuted for corruption is a key measure.
• Indicator for Target 16.6: The effectiveness and transparency of institutions are measured through the actions described. The formal responses from the Attorney General and the commissions, which showed a reluctance to investigate without a federal request, serve as an indicator of institutional accountability. The call for “public legislative hearings” is a proposed measure to increase transparency.
• Indicator for Target 16.7: Public participation is directly indicated by the “petition on Change.org and signed by more than 600 people.” This provides a quantifiable measure of citizen engagement and the demand for a more responsive decision-making process regarding the corruption scandal.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: hawaiinewsnow.com