Cedric Lee’s wife denies links to Izumo

Copy of Judy Gutierrez-Lee counter affidavit TETCH-TORRES TUPAS/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Cedric Lee’s estranged wife on Thursday asked the Department of Justice to dismiss the tax evasion complaint against her, saying she has “no financial interest” in the controversial businessman’s company.

In her counter-affidavit, Judy Gutierrez-Lee said she had no idea how she became the chief financial officer of Izumo Contractors Inc. Lee is president and chairman of the board of the construction services company.

“I did not know how I became the CFO of Izumo. I understand that the CFO is being elected by the board of directors but I have not attended any board meeting and did not accept any such position of CFO,” Gutierrez-Lee said.

Saying she has no “no financial interest” in the company, Gutierrez-Lee said she had no participation in the management, supervision or control of Izumo.

She said that the financial transactions and the income tax returns that were the subject of the BIR complaint was signed by Cedric.

Further, she said that the 20 percent shares under her name at Izumo were not her own but were just assigned to her by Cedric for “qualification purposes in order for me to qualify as a director.”

“Clearly, I had no actual participation in the subject financial transactions including all the tax matters of Izumo and so I do not have any criminal liability in regard to this tax evasion charges filed with the Department of Justice,” she said.

“Thus, my inclusion as one of the respondents was a grievous mistake.”

Gutierrez-Lee added that she and Cedric were already separated as early as 2005 and that since then she had not been dealing with her former husband or his corporation.

RELATED STORY

Cedric Lee blames accountant on tax evasion case