DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Gary James Baldwin was escorted into Circuit Court yesterday by sheriff's officers to appear for his extradition hearing.

Kauai man admits identity
but denies Arizona theft

Gary Baldwin is accused of
stealing more than $300,000

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By Debra Barayuga
dbarayuga@starbulletin.com

A Kauai businessman says he is the man wanted by authorities in Maricopa County, Ariz., on felony fraud and theft charges.

But Gary James Baldwin says he didn't do what they are alleging he did, his attorney Phil Lowenthal said yesterday at his extradition hearing in Circuit Court.

Baldwin, an active player in politics and tourism on Kauai, made his first court appearance yesterday since his arrest at his Kilauea home Monday by FBI and Kauai police.

Although he didn't contest identification, Baldwin asked for and is entitled to an arrest warrant signed by Hawaii's governor directing that he be held for purposes of extradition and also a hearing to reduce his bail.

Baldwin, 55, was indicted by a Maricopa grand jury in September 1986 for allegedly stealing more than $300,000 from the Dulaney Eye Clinic in Phoenix two years earlier. He allegedly wrote a fake suicide note and disappeared until Arthur Jackson, at one time a personal and business colleague of Baldwin, went on the Internet and located him on Kauai last year.

Jackson, now a private investigator, flew in from Atlanta Wednesday night prepared to identify Baldwin at yesterday's hearing if called to testify.

Circuit Judge Reynaldo Graulty confirmed bail for Baldwin at $274,000, an amount set by the Arizona Superior Court.

Lowenthal had argued that the bail was excessive given the letters of support received by the court that attest to Baldwin's "good character" and the "good deeds" Baldwin had done over the last 18 years in Hawaii.

"All those years should stand for something," Lowenthal said.

A group of Baldwin's supporters have raised $50,000 cash to post for bail and were willing to put up the money because they believe he is not a flight risk and will get their money back, Lowenthal said.

But deputy prosecutor Russell Uehara argued that Baldwin's actions show that he is a flight risk and, if given the chance, he will flee if bail is reduced.

Baldwin has been a fugitive from Arizona for the past 16 years and altered his birthdate and Social Security number, Uehara said. He is also wanted on a federal warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

The number on Baldwin's Hawaii driver's license is close to but does not match the one issued to him by the Social Security Administration.

Graulty ordered that in the event Baldwin posts bail, he must remain on Oahu and report daily to Honolulu extradition Detective Bentley Alama while awaiting the governor's warrant of arrest.

In the meantime, Baldwin will be held at the Oahu Community Correctional Center for the next 30 to 60 days or until the warrant is issued and extradition can be arranged.