"The government typically uses leverage over the defendants when there's an obstruction of justice charge to get them to cooperate very early on," Kau said.
"The government is going to need a person to testify that this was the intent," Kau said.
"A jury in a criminal case cannot speculate that the money was payment for a bribe," Kau said.
Common Cause Hawaii representative Camron Hurt raised concerns regarding state spending and the ongoing status of the position.
"Why are we having to compensate for two lieutenant governors?" Hurt said.
"And how long will an unelected official assume this seat? Is it the best use of our resources?"
Hurt also evaluated the public presumption of innocence and details in the indictment text.
"If I'm the lieutenant governor, I'm reminding everyone in the public that in this country everyone is innocent until proven guilty," Hurt said.
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"If anything, all this indictment shows us indefinitely is that there was a lobbyist with a very strong pressure campaign, now some legislators folded like clothes and gladly took the money and were seemingly glad to do his bidding, but when it comes to the Lt.
Gov. , though you see in the indictment itself pushback," Hurt added.
"You can almost see, reading the messages, someone grappling with knowing better and realizing they are in a very precarious situation, and I think for that she should take responsibility," he added.
