Extradition ruling due in plunder case

Jace Radke

Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2004 | 9:31 a.m.

In an order filed Friday, U.S. Magistrate Lawrence Leavitt states that there is probable cause to believe that a former Philippines presidential adviser committed the crime of plunder.

Charlie "Atong" Ang, arrested in Las Vegas in November 2001, is wanted by the Philippines government for his part in a scheme involving ousted President Joseph Estrada and the theft of about $2.5 million in public funds.

The order states that Ang, who was freed from the North Las Vegas jail in late 2002 on $300,000 bail, has until Nov. 8 to "file a memorandum of points and authorities accompanied by supporting evidence explaining the applicability of defenses, if any, to his extradition."

Federal prosecutors will then have until Nov. 19 to file a reply before Leavitt makes a ruling on whether or not Ang will face extradition to the Philippines.

Ang is accused of funneling tobacco tax kickbacks and illegal gambling payoffs to Estrada. Estrada was ousted in January 2001 and is jailed in Manila where he is facing political corruption charges.

Leavitt's order states that bank records and other documents "tend to point to Ang's criminal involvement."

The order also states that the testimony of former Philippines provincial governor, Luis Singson, clearly placed Ang in the middle of the illegal transaction.

The plunder charge could carry a death penalty in the Philippines, but U.S. Department of Justice attorney Jeffrey Cole has said that Philippines authorities have promised to waive the death penalty if Ang is extradited.