Wildman’s Firm didn’t pay Payroll Taxes 

Maui News: Wildman's former Honolulu law firm, Sibilla & Wildman, has two federal tax liens for unpaid payroll taxes, filed in 2006, and totaling $144,000.

He told The Maui News last week that Sibilla & Wildman, though no longer active as a law firm, continued to exist for the clearance of debts and was "on a payment plan."  (Wildman is like former tax cheat Gary Hooser.)

He did not say how much the firm owes, or if it has other debts.

Wildman said he began commuting to Maui to work as a lawyer in 2004, then moved to the island in 2005 to work full time at the firm of Takitani and Agaran. His main field is personal injury law.

He declined to comment further, citing his confirmation hearing at the state Senate, which was then pending. Wildman's statements came several days before he withdrew as a judicial nominee.

Donalyn Dela Cruz, Abercrombie's spokeswoman, was asked whether the governor's office did its own background check on the nominee. She said it relied on the Judicial Selection Committee, which by statute forwards five names considered to be qualified to the governor for his appointment. The committee chairman said the panel was prohibited from discussing anything about its operation, and Abercrombie has declined to reveal the list of nominees.

In this, he has departed from the practice of earlier governors.

Jim Loomis, (a leftist ideologue) who until he retired to Maui owned a Honolulu advertising agency that was retained by Abercrombie for most of his campaigns, said he had gotten to know Wildman through the work on the campaigns.

"Joe worked as a staffer in Neil's office when he was in the (state) Legislature," Loomis said Thursday, and through observation, he knows they hold "the highest respect for each other."

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WILDMAN WITHDRAWS AS CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE

News Release from www.Hawaii.gov/gov

Honolulu – Joe Wildman today asked Governor Neil Abercrombie to withdraw his nomination for Judge of the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit.

“I’m grateful for Governor Abercrombie giving me the opportunity to serve,” Mr. Wildman said. “However, because of an unresolved situation with my law firm, I have decided to withdraw my nomination to prevent any distraction for the Abercrombie Administration and disruption for my family.”

Governor Abercrombie accepted Mr. Wildman’s request and will make a new appointment for Circuit Court judge shortly.

“I’m sorry that Joe won’t be serving the people of Hawai'i as Judge of the Circuit Court,” Governor Abercrombie said. “There are other very qualified individuals recommended by the Judicial Selection Commission, and I will be making a selection soon.”

Circuit Court judges are appointed to 10-year terms by the Governor from a list of not less than four and not more than six nominees provided by the Judicial Selection Commission.

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