DOJ: Jho Low’s mom returns 1MDB linked jewellery via custodian
PUCHONG: A set of 1MDB linked jewellery allegedly given to Evelyn Goh Gaik Ewe, Jho Low’s mother, has been returned, confirmed US Department of Justice (DOJ).
In its court filing dated yesterday, DOJ confirmed that it reached an agreement with the counsel of the custodian of the jewellery for the return of a pair of diamond earrings with a matching diamond ring worth US$1.7 million.
The custodian however was not named, reported Malaysiakini.
“This transfer of the defendant’s assets shall not be construed as an admission of wrongdoing or liability on the part of the current custodian or any other party,” the DOJ said in the filing.
“Once the government is in possession, custody, or control of the defendant’s assets pursuant to Supplemental Rule G of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset Forfeiture Actions, the government will move forward towards default of the defendant assets”.
This latest development came about after the DOJ sought out the Thai authorities to serve an arrest warrant on Goh who is believed to be in Thailand.
The DOJ filed a civil forfeiture suits on a range of assets belived to be obtained from funds misused from 1MDB into the US financial system on 15 June 2017.
The department claimed that Low used funds diverted from 1MDB’s 2012 bond issuances to buy jewellery worth US$1,695,475 from jeweller Lorraine Schwartz Inc in New York.
Low received invoice for the jewellery on 29 November 2012. The invoice listed flawless Type 2A diamonds of 7.53 carats, 3.05 carats, and 3.08 carats among the jewellery. Goh is believed to pick up the jewellery in Hong Kong.
In its Nov 2 filing, the DOJ revealed that it posted its its civil forfeiture suit notice against the jewellery, online on June 21. In addition, it sent notices to potential claimants Goh and Lorraine Schwartz through their lawyers on 4 Aug 2017.
However, in each case the deadline to file counter-claims on the DOJ’s claim on the jewellery lapsed without any counter-claims being filed.
Low has been charged in both the US and Malaysia, in absentia over allegations of money laundering in relation to the 1MDB scandal. He has claimed innocence over the charges.
Low meanwhile was happy with the turn of events revolving the jewellery.
“Mr Low is pleased to learn that the US Department of Justice and all the relevant parties are working to amicably resolve these matters, and that the DoJ has acknowledged that ‘the transfer… shall not be construed as an admission of wrongdoing or liability on the part of the current custodian or any other party’,” said a statement issued through his agent.
“We look forward to the continuing resolution of these issues,” it added.
