The former secretary to Imelda Marcos is charged in New York with conspiracy to sell valuable artworks that disappeared during the collapse of the Marcos regime.
Vilma Bautista was indicted Tuesday on charges of conspiracy, tax fraud and offering a false instrument for filing. Two nephews of the 74-year-old Bautista’s also were charged
The Manhattan district attorney’s office said the defendants sold a work from Claude Monet’s “Water Lilies” series for $32 million in September 2010.
Prosecutors say that Bautista came into possession of numerous works of art acquired by Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos.
The paintings also included another Monet and Alfred Sisley’s “Langland Bay.”
Prosecutors say Bautista used false paperwork to sell the “Water Lilies,” the most valuable work.
Her attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment.