US returns more than $1 million forfeited from Filipino ex-general in corruption case
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The United States has returned to the Philippine government more than $1 million from forfeited assets of a Filipino ex-general who was accused of stashing illegally obtained wealth in America.
U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg on Wednesday handed a check for $1.38 million to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, who prosecutes government officials accused of corruption.
The returned money consists of proceeds from the sale of a New York condominium unit and funds from two Citibank accounts that were traced to former military comptroller retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia.
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Goldberg says Philippine and U.S. investigators worked closely to determine that Garcia laundered a substantial portion of his criminal proceeds through the U.S.
Garcia was initially charged with plunder for allegedly helping steal huge military funds, but later pleaded to lesser offenses.