A Kirkland man pleaded not guilty Thursday to first-degree extortion for allegedly trying to collect an inflated debt from a Redmond businessman with help from the Bandidos motorcycle group.
Robert Dairold Golden, 39, made the plea in King County Superior Court and was granted a temporary release from custody pending a bond hearing on Jan. 14. His bail had previously been set at $500,000. An alleged accomplice from California, Robert Amahd Edwards III, 35, also pleaded not guilty Thursday and posted bond on a bail of $100,000.
King County prosecutors say Golden loaned the business owner, who operates a custom fishing rod shop, $35,000 to launch the business. He then claimed to have sold that debt to the Bandidos Motorcycle Club and told the man it had been increased to $57,000 and that he would have to pay it by Dec. 27, 2012.
Golden and Edwards were arrested by Redmond and Seattle police on that date when they showed up at the shop to collect, allegedly demanding the man turn over an SUV and other vehicles.
They both face a case-setting hearing on Feb 14.
For an earlier Patch story about the case, click here.
