US Returns $1.4-M ‘Ill-Gotten’ Gains of Former PHL Top Military Official

US Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg on Wednesday formally handed to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales a check worth USD1,384,940.28 which represents the “ill-gotten” gains acquired by former Armed Forces comptroller Gen. Carlos F. Garcia.

The check is payable to the Republic of the Philippines.

“Battling public corruption is a challenge that all countries face, including the United States. Meeting that challenge is vitally important to ensure public confidence in the honesty and integrity of public servants. Since retiring from the Supreme Court to serve as the Ombudsman, Justice Morales has been tireless in the investigation and prosecution of public corruption cases. The United States is very pleased to be able to assist Ombudsman Morales and her office whenever possible,” Goldberg said.

Philippine and US investigators worked closely together to determine that Garcia laundered a substantial portion of his criminal proceeds through the United States.

In particular, investigators with the US Department of Homeland Security traced the criminal proceeds to two Citibank accounts in New York and a condominium in Trump Tower in New York.

The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York then initiated civil forfeiture proceedings against those assets and eventually obtained default judgments of forfeiture.

The net proceeds resulting from the sale of the condominium and the funds from the two Citibank accounts were returned to the Philippines by the United States Wednesday. (PNA) RMA/PFN