So why 3 years to get it and why did they let Lakin go down in flames?
That’s exactly the right question and raises a lot of suspicion.
Because Lakin’s attorney/s might very well have wanted to hold the actual paper (if there is one...) in their hands, have it vetted forensically, asked for back up info such as files or ledgers, books etc from the DoH in HI, and any and other relevent documents, any of which would most likely have proven this piece of crap to be a forgery.