Woman jailed, charged with stealing $89,000 from Pacquiao in US

MANILA, Philippines – A woman accused of stealing more than $89,000 from boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has been charged with grand theft and 32 counts of forgery by the Los Angeles County district attorney's office, according to a report posted on Jan. 29 in the Web version of the the Los Angeles Times ("Manny Pacquiao alleged victim of check forgery in L.A.").

The 27-year-old woman was arrested Jan. 23 (Jan. 24 in Manila) and arraigned Jan. 25 (Jan. 26 in Manila), during which she entered a not "not guilty" plea. She was jailed pending her posting of bail set at $90,000.

Pacquiao is reportedly the godfather of one of the woman's four children. The woman is reportedly the wife of Pacquiao's driver.

Asked for comment by "Showbiz Central," GMA's Sunday entertainment talk show, Pacquiao would only say: "No comment."

And wife Jinkee would only say: "Huwag na natin pag-usapan yung nagnakaw [Let's not talk about the thief.]"

She did consent to describe the woman in this way: "Di ko siya kasama sa bahay at di ko rin siya kaibigan... Parang naligaw lang siya. [She doesn't stay with me at home and she's not my friend... It's llike she just drifted into our lives.]"

According to the Los Angeles Times article, the complaint against the woman alleges that she forged 32 checks and collected $89,383.49 between Jan. 18, 2007, and Jan. 26, 2008.

A news release from the district attorney's office said she was able to do that because Pacquiao, not being familiar with the US banking system, once asked her to help him in his transactions.

After that she allegedly forged Pacquiao's signature to withdraw money from the bank, which was not identified in the Los Angeles Times story.

The woman is due to appear again in the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Feb. 4. - GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/146901/Woman-jailed-charged-with-stealing-89000-from-Pacquiao-in-US

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