Husband of ‘Chilean geisha’ out of prison after embezzlement scandal, wants to ‘apologize’

TOKYO (TR) – It was 23 years ago that a huge embezzlement scandal involving the Aomori Prefectural Housing Corporation emerged.

At the forefront of the case was former employee Yuji Chida, 67, and his wife, Chilean national Anita Alvarado. Chida was later convicted of embezzling over 1.4 billion yen, most of which he sent to Alvarado, who now lives in Chile.

Chida sat down with the Asahi Shimbun (Oct. 14) to share his current state of mind and express his desire to apologize for his past misdeeds.

“I’m almost 70 years old, and speaking about the incident is a way to draw a line in my life.” Chida said, “Because of my embezzlement, many people, including the corporation, the people of Aomori Prefecture, and many others, have suffered mental and financial stress. I must apologize.”

Anita Alvarado (Twitter)
Palatial residence in Santiago
In 1997, Alvarado married Chida, whom she met in Aomori Prefecture. While they were together, Chida provided her with more than 1 billion yen in funds that he embezzled from his then employer, the Aomori Prefectural Housing Supply Public Corporation.

Chida misused his position as the corporation’s accountant, and embezzled over 1.4 billion yen by withdrawing cash from the corporation’s account at a bank between 1994 and 2001. At least 800 million yen of that (or more likely 1.1 billion yen, according to Chida) was sent to Alvarado, now 51.

During questioning, Chida said he regularly visited hostess clubs in the Ginza and Roppongi areas. He also brought women on trips to Fukuoka and Kyoto prefectures.

News reports from the time said that Anita used the funds were used on a palatial residence in Santiago, a restaurant, hospitals, overseas trips and spending sprees.

After Chida’s arrest, Alvarado claimed to not know the funds were embezzled. She also declared that she had spent all the money. Thereafter, she became known as “the Chilean geisha” by media in Chile.

According to Aomori Prefecture, which took over the rights to claims from the corporation when it was dissolved, less than 10 percent of the embezzled funds have been repaid.

A court later handed Chida a 14-year prison term, which he completed in 2016. Today, Chida lives alone in an apartment and spends his days looking for work.

“I want her to pay it back”
Due to the impact of the incident, Chiba has been unable to find a permanent position. He told the Asahi, “[People say], ‘He stole money from a public corporation, went to prison, and lived off taxpayers’ money for 14 years. He’s pretty arrogant.’ It’s pathetic that people think of me like that. The reality may be harsh, but I want to work and cut down on my own living and give back to the people of Aomori, whether it is 1,000 yen or 2,000 yen.”

Although he has not met Alvarado since the incident came to light, they are still married. They have not had a chance to discuss divorce, as they have not had any contact with each other.

Chida said, “If there is even any amount of money left, I want her to pay it back and return it to the people of Aomori Prefecture. That is what I ask of her now.”

Jajaja quiso desviar fondos y se lo cagaron 😂