QUESTION: Several years ago, state Sen. (J. Kalani) English was investigated for taking free flights on Hawaii Air Ambulance. Do you know what happened?

Was he asked to pay it back? I don't remember if he was penalized or if the investigation was pushed under a rug, hoping that everyone will forget about it.

ANSWER: In November 2005 English agreed to a settlement with the Ethics Commission and gave the state $1,000, and the commission agreed to drop charges. English did not admit to any violation.

The settlement was negotiated by English's attorney, Andrew Beaman.

According to the agreement filed in Circuit Court, English admitted that he has been a passenger on Hawaii Air Ambulance Flights between Honolulu and Maui. Also English acknowledges that he was a guest in a Honolulu condo owned by Andrew Kluger, chief executive officer of the air ambulance firm, and also acknowledged driving in a car owned by Kluger.

The settlement said only that English agrees to pay a settlement and “;agrees to fully comply with all the provisions of HRS 84 (state ethics law) on an ongoing basis.”;

English (D, East Maui, Lanai, Molokai) did not reimburse the state Senate, which paid for flight coupons in 2002, nor did he report the free flights on state ethics gift disclosure forms.

In 2002 English accepted state flight coupons for flights between Oahu and Maui, but actually took free trips on the air ambulance.

In 2002, when English flew on Hawaii Air Ambulance, the Legislature was considering changes in air ambulance regulations.

But English said at the time that the free flights did not enter in his support for Hawaii Air Ambulance.

According to Campaign Spending Commission reports, Hawaii Air Ambulance gave English $3,992.12 in floral arrangements and accommodations for a reception held in 2002.

English has represented East Maui, Lanai and Molokai in the Senate since 2000.