Lord figures in real-life drama

The Mail-Star, Halifax, Dartmouth, N. S.

September 13, 1985

Honolulu (AP) - Jack Lord, who starred in the TV series, Hawaii Five-0, testified in the real-life drama of a former businessman accused of running a $22-million fraud scheme.

Lord testified in federal court in the case of Ronald Rewald, who is accused of scores of fraud, perjury and income-tax charges.

He said he had considered Rewald a friend, but denied Rewald's contention that he was a consultant for the now-defunct investment firm of Bishop, Baldwin, Rewald, Dillingham and Wong.

Lord testified he was unaware that his name was listed on the company's organization chart, that one of the company's offices was referred to by staffers as Jack Lord's office, or that his name was painted on one of the company's reserved parking stalls.

"If he (Rewald) told anyone that I was occupying an office...it would have been a damnable lie," Lord said.

"I hate to be used," Lord added. "Anyone hates to be used. I would have considered that being used."

Prosecutors contend Rewald bilked millions of dollars from investors to finance an expensive lifestyle.

Rewald says he set up and ran the company at the direction of the Central Intelligence Agency. The agency has admitted only a minor connection with the firm, which went bankrupt in 1983.