Amount DH allegedly stole from boss’ bank account cut to $530k

By Vir B. Lumicao 

Garaza is now accused of stealing $530k from her employer by using the ATM card entrusted to her

Prosecutors have reduced to $530,000 the amount that a Filipina domestic helper has allegedly stolen from her French employer’s bank account over a 14-month period.  Originally, she was accused of stealing a total of $768,000.

This was disclosed at the hearing of the theft case against June Jennie B. Garaza, 33, who appeared in Eastern Court today, Jun 29.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Magistrate Peter Law was slated to take a plea from Garaza, but at the request of the defense, adjourned the case until Jul 27, and ordered the defendant returned to custody.

Garaza has been detained since her arrest on Jan 22.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

She is accused of stealing cash from the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp account of her male employer, Stephen Peepels, between Nov 26, 2019 and Jan 21 this year. She allegedly managed to do this since her employer allowed her to use his ATM card to withdraw money for household expenses.

The $238,000 reduction in the amount she was originally accused of skimming from Peepels’ account followed completion of the police scrutiny of more than 200 ATM withdrawals from the account during the 14-month period.

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Only a few details of the case have emerged since Garaza first appeared in court on Jan 25.

But during an interview on the popular Manila television show “Raffy Tulfo in Action, “ her husband, Kevin Luga, claimed the charge was baseless.

Tunghayan ang isa na namang kwentong Dream Love

Luga, who also used to work for Peepels, lived with Garaza in a separate rented flat.   

Luga said it all began when a nephew of Peepels who lives with the employer saw the $17,850 hotel bill that the helper and his son incurred for quarantine after they arrived from Manila on Jan 18.

Magistrate Law adjourned the hearing until Jul 27 and ordered Garaza remanded in custody.

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