6 suspected of funneling $20M into US from Philippines

LOS ANGELES – Federal prosecutors say a Filipino woman and five of her family members have been indicted for conspiring to funnel into the U.S. some $20 million in Philippine public funds obtained through an intricate bribery and fraud scheme.

The U.S. Department of Justice said Tuesday that Jannet Napoles and the five other defendants allegedly diverted Philippine government funds intended to benefit poor Filipinos.

Prosecutors say the money was used to purchase assets in the U.S., including property and luxury vehicles.

Napoles and the others are charged with money laundering and conspiracy. Officials are working to have the defendants extradited to the U.S. from the Philippines.

The others named in the indictment are Jo Napoles, James Napoles, Jeane Napoles, Reynald Lim and Ana Lim.

It wasn’t known if they have attorneys.