Keli'ikipi was indicted April 29 on felony theft charges in connection with a computer scheme that defrauded Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc. of thousands of dollars. His attorney, Michael Green, said that Keli'ikipi cooperated with police once he learned the money was stolen. Keli'ikipi received a $9,000 loan, said Green, and used $3,000 to purchase a car.

"West went down (to the police station in 2002) and turned over the car to investigators and was told, 'You did the right thing, go on with your life,' " Green said. "He thought that was the end of it."

Keli'ikipi, 23, pleaded not guilty yesterday. Trial was set for the week of June 7.

Keli'ikipi's younger brother Winston Keli'ikipi, Tasha N. K. Black and Jared P. Santiago, who also were charged as part of the same scheme, also entered not guilty pleas yesterday. Winston Keli'ikipi, his cousin Gordon Keli'ikipi, Shantel Santa Isabel and Colleen Spencer are charged with first-degree theft while the others were indicted on second-degree theft.

Green said he plans to meet with UH athletic director Herman Frazier and prosecutors to resolve Keli'ikipi's status with the football team.

The case involves unauthorized use of a credit-card swipe machine through which a substantial amount of money was stolen from Kaiser accounts.

Speaking through his attorney, Gary Levitt, Winston Keli'ikipi said he was approached by an unnamed co-defendant at about the same time his brother was. The woman knew his family was having a hard time and offered "if you need help, let me know." Winston Keli'ikipi is alleged to have received more than $20,000, Levitt said.

West Keli'ikipi was working at a gas station in Wai'anae when he was loaned money by a woman he knew because she worked at a nearby convenience store, Green said.

The seven-count indictment alleges that Santa Isabel obtained unauthorized control of more than $20,000 belonging to Kaiser Foundation Health Plan between Feb. 26, 2002, and May 22, 2002.

Santa Isabel allegedly took money from Kaiser accounts and credited her own personal charge card and the cards of others, according to the prosecutor's office. Her bench warrant from the indictment is still outstanding, enforcement officials said.