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Former Beauty Queen Held Without Bail

Kaulua Woman Accused Of Massive Identity Theft Scam

POSTED: 6:39 pm HST June 17, 2009
UPDATED: 6:57 pm HST June 17, 2009

A Kailua woman accused of a massive ID theft scam has been ordered held without bail.

A circuit court judge Wednesday agreed with prosecutors that Susan Shaw is a flight risk and an ongoing investigation reveals more surprising details about the double life of the former beauty queen.

While there are at least 11 alleged identity theft victims in the case, it appears Susan Shaw scammed several more -- keeping a secret life from her family, her live-in boyfriend in Hawaii and at least two other boyfriends in Southern California.

Shaw said nothing in her bail hearing Wednesday in circuit court.

But details about her double life were revealed on the stand by the Honolulu police detective investigating the case.

In Hawaii Shaw has two children with her live-in boyfriend.

But according to police, Shaw claimed she was an entertainment attorney who worked with Oprah and other Hollywood celebrities.

She also rented a home in Manhattan Beach and one in Hermosa Beach and had two boyfriends in California, one of them a doctor which ended when he started talking about marriage.

"That's what sort of led to the end of the relationship. She was very secretive. She kept her Hawaii connection more or less quiet with other stories of what she does and doesn't do," said Detective John McCarthy.

The former Miss Hawaii International 1992 allegedly stole at least $160,000 from at least 11 people in an identity theft scheme that lasted 16 months.

California police have found evidence of more victims in a recent search of her Manhattan Beach home.

Among other things they found gift cards for airlines hotel and the personal information of between 40 and 50 people.

Police said they believe all the victims are residents of Hawaii.

Prosecutors said Shaw would travel about twice a month taking more than 40 trips just within 2008 which is why they asked for her $1 million bail be revoked.

Her parents, who were in court Wednesday, said they knew nothing about her other life.

Shaw's family and boyfriends are cooperating with police.

She's being held at the Oahu Community Correctional Center where it appears she'll stay for now.

Her trial is scheduled to begin on July 20, but prosecutors said they've already asked the judge for an extension because they're not even close to completing their investigation due to the sheer magnitude of the scam.

Prosecutors said they are planning to ask for life in prison for Shaw if she's convicted.
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