DOJ: 'Custodian' to return Jho Low's mum's diamond earrings, ring
The United States Department of Justice states that the “custodian” of a set of 1MDB-linked diamond jewellery – purportedly given to Evelyn Goh, the mother of fugitive businessperson Low Taek Jho – has agreed to return it to the US.
In a May 1 court filing sighted by Malaysiakini, the DOJ stated that it has reached an agreement with said's custodian lawyer for the return of a pair of diamond earrings with a matching diamond ring worth US$1.7 million...
The US Department of Justice has stated that the "custodian" of a set of 1MDB-linked jewellery items – purportedly given to Evelyn Goh, the mother of fugitive businessperson Low Taek Jho – has agreed for it to be returned to the country.
In a May 1 court filing sighted by Malaysiakini, the DOJ stated that it has reached an agreement with the custodian for the return of a pair of diamond earrings and a matching diamond ring worth nearly US$1.7 million.
However, the department did not name the custodian in question.
"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.
"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's assets," the filing read.
Goh believed to be residing in Thailand
It was reported last November that the DOJ planned to seek the cooperation of Thai authorities to serve a warrant for the jewellery, as Goh is believed to be residing there.
On June 15, 2017, the DOJ filed civil forfeiture suits on a range of assets believed to have been purchased using funds misappropriated from 1MDB and funnelled through the US financial system, including the jewellery.
The department alleged that Low used money diverted from 1MDB’s 2012 bond issuances to purchase the jewellery for US$1,695,475 from jeweller Lorraine Schwartz Inc.
Low was invoiced for the jewellery on Nov 28, 2012, which included Type 2A diamonds of 7.53 carats, 3.05 carats, and 3.08 carats. Goh supposedly picked up the jewellery in Hong Kong.
In its Nov 2 filing, the DOJ said it had posted a notice of its civil forfeiture suit against the jewellery online on June 21. In addition, it sent notices to potential claimants Goh and Lorraine Schwartz on Aug 4, 2017.
In both cases, however, the deadline to file counter-claims lapsed.
Low has been charged in absentia, in both the US and Malaysia, over allegations of money laundering in relation to the 1MDB scandal. He has maintained his innocence.
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