LOS ANGELES – The extradition hearing for Grace Grande (ex-mistress of a Philippine congressman) has been put on hold, according to a Filipino-American woman’s rights groups.
US government prosecutors and a legal defense team representing Grande, who is accused of theft, have agreed to adjourn the extradition proceedings against her, while alternative resolutions to the case are sought and considered, said Jollene Levid, chairperson at AF3IRM.
“This means that the US government has found Grande’s evidence and opposition to the extradition compelling enough to pause the previously scheduled proceedings,” Levid said in a press release.
“With this agreement, the Philippine government is being asked to conduct its own investigation and to present other possible resolutions,” Levid said.
A status hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, August 21 at a location to be determined, Levid said in a press release.
Grande, 40, said she is the former long-time mistress of current Philippine Congressman Patrick Antonio of the AGBIAG party, who is also a businessman.
Grande and Antonio have two children, which sparked an international child dispute after she brought them (unbeknownst to Antonio) to the US in 2007. Grande was granted custody in that case.
She is accused of stealing nearly P1.8 million (about $43,000) worth of jewelry from a person in the Philippines, before she fled to the US in 2007.
Grande denied the theft charges and believes Antonio is using his political influence to extradite her back to the Philippines.
Grande said she believes an employee of Antonio’s filed the theft charges against her.
She filed for asylum to remain in the US but before that hearing could be heard, the extradition case against her must be resolved first.
Grande surrendered to authorities last year. She is currently out on bail.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek August 7-9, 2013 Sec A pg.1)
