MANILA, Philippines — The youngest daughter of Janet Lim-Napoles, the woman behind a massive corruption scandal, has returned to the country after the US government indicted her and family members for money laundering.
In a text message to reporters, lawyer Ian Encarnacion said Jeane Catherine Napoles arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on August 3. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra separately confirmed that the younger Napoles is back in the country.
Related Stories
“We maintain our client’s innocence and we look forward to having these cases dismissed,” Encarnacion said, adding that Jeane Catherine “will face all the cases against her, both here and abroad.”
Janet and five family members are accused of transferring $20 million stolen from the Philippines to bank accounts in California, according to US prosecutors.
Prosecutors said the money, which was from the Priority Development Assistance Fund intended to help poor Filipinos, was used to purchase assets in the US, including property, shares in businesses and luxurious vehicles, and to finance the lifestyle of Janet’s US-based daughters.
Aside from the Napoles matriarch and Jeane Catherine, others named in the indictment were Jo Napoles, James Napoles, Reynald Lim and Ana Lim.
Guevarra said on Friday Jeane Catherine fled the country last week while “the rest are still in the Philippines.” — Ian Nicolas Cigaral with AFP