Anita Ester Alvarado

But Anita Ester Alvarado, 32, has denied the allegation that she forced the women to work as prostitutes in Japan, according to the reports.

The women have filed charges against Alvarado with local authorities, saying Alvarado deceived them by claiming that job opportunities at Japanese restaurants were available, the reports said.

Alvarado told local daily La Tercera that she does not even know one of the women who have accused her. "How can you defend yourself from someone you don't even know?" the daily quoted her as saying.

Alvarado is the wife of Yuji Chida who embezzled ¥1.44 billion from a public housing corporation based in Aomori Prefecture.

Chida, who has confessed to giving part of the money to Alvarado, was sentenced to 14 years in prison over the embezzlement case in 2002.

Alvarado has invested the money she received from Chida in an extravagant mansion and other facilities in Chile.

The Japan Times Weekly: Feb. 19, 2005
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