NEW YORK: Imelda Marcos’ former secretary was sentenced yesterday to up to six years in a New York prison for a scheme to sell art that once belonged to the former Philippine first lady, including a Claude Monet water-lily painting that netted $32m.
Vilma Bautista, 75, was convicted in November of conspiracy and tax fraud charges related to the sale or attempted sale of four museum-quality paintings acquired by Marcos during the two decades that her husband, Ferdinand Marcos, was president of the Philippines. The art disappeared around 1986, when Marcos was ousted from power. He died three years later.
Bautista, who had faced up to 25 years in prison, was also ordered to pay $3.5m in restitution to the state of New York.
REUTERS
