DOJ asked to probe ‘leaked’ resolution in Okada estafa case

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice (DOJ) was formally asked to investigate the leaking of a resolution that involved a $10-million estafa case against Japanese tycoon Kazuo Okada.

Tiger Resort Leisure & Entertainment Incorporated, which owns and operates Okada Manila, filed the complaint before the DOJ.

It accused Parañaque City Prosecutor Amerhassan Paudac, who handled the case, of violating the Code of Conduct for Prosecutors, and blamed him for allegedly leaking the resolution.

“It is the DOJ, not the panel formed by Paudac that should properly investigate the leakage of resolutions that happened at the Paranaque prosecutor’s office,” Tiger Resort said. 

The company learned leaked portions of the resolution favoring Kazuo Okada were posted online by Chloe Kim, a “close companion” of Okada, last May 18. The resolution allegedly had Paudac’s signature.

Following the leaking of documents, Paduac formed a panel to investigate the leakage and asked the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct an examination of Kim’s social media accounts.

However, Tiger Resort claimed an investigation by Paduac would be “whitewashed.”

“The formation of an investigating panel when he himself would be investigated is improper, self-serving, and unjustified, and would only preempt the investigation that should be conducted by the DOJ,” it added.

The company previously asked Paduac to inhibit from the case for alleged bias towards the Japanese businessman. (READ: Parañaque prosecutor asked to inhibit from Okada estafa complaint)

Tiger Resort earlier sued the Japanese magnate of embezzling over $10 million of the firm’s funds between early 2016 and June 2017. 

In a previous text message to reporters, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the DOJ would look into the matter “as soon as possible.“– Rappler.com