HONOLULU -- A Maui engineer accused of espionage was denied bail Friday. However, Noshir Gowadia's son said his father is innocent and will be free soon.

Noshir Gowadia claims to be the "father" of the B-2 stealth bomber.

Noshir Gowadia is accused of selling secrets to foreign governments. FBI officials said he confessed after a raid of his Haiku home on Maui turned up thousands of classified documents and computer files.

Gowadia sold secrets about the aircraft's engine to eight countries, FBI agents said.

"This is a misunderstanding that's blown way out of proportion," Gowadia's son, Ashton, said.

"My dad has dedicated his life to saving American lives," Ashton Gowadia said.

Gowadia's son said he understands why the government is investigating, but doesn't think the investigation will lead to a trial.

"Most of what you are reading about with the government's case, they are false," Ashton Gowadia said.

Federal Judge Barry Kurren to detain Noshir Gowadia without bail. He ruled Gowadia's international contacts make him a flight risk. Kurren also said that Gowadia's access to secret material make him a continuing danger to the community and may be in danger himself if his clients want him silenced.

Gowadia's luxury home on Maui can't be used as bail because it could have been bought with illegal income.

FBI agents said Noshir Gowadia signed a statement. He wrote in his limited English that he "disclosed classified information. I wanted to help this countries to further their self aircraft protection systems. I knew it was wrong and I did it for the money."

How much money he made isn't clear. Agents said in addition to his large home, Gowadia had other property and local and foreign bank accounts.

Ashton Gowadia says his father has friends high in the Pentagon. He said he is sure they will come forward to vouch for him. He would not reveal their names.

"You wait and see who comes to bat for him. You wait and see," Ashton Gowadia said.

Prosecutors did leave open the possibility of bail if Gowadia continues to cooperate.

Gowadia was with Northrop from 1968-1986. He also worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. He has two companies: N.S. Gowadia, Inc. and NSG, Inc., which the government said reported about $750,000 in income between 1999-2003.