By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — Atty. Oliver Baclay, Jr. counsel of Innocentrix on Thursday (May 8), denied that Innocentrix is involved in a US$44-million scam that victimized 800 elder writers in the United States.
Michael Cris Traya Sordilla, CEO Innocentrix, a Cebu-based business process outsourcing company, is now detained in the United States.
In a press conference at Luxent Hotel, the accusation that Michael and Bryan scammed authors using electronic transactions was addressed by his spokesperson Atty. Oliver P. Baclay, Jr.
Atty. Baclay has various legal experience in high profile cases in the United States and the Philippines.
He obtained his Juris doctor’s degree in Ateneo Law School. He was No. 8 in the 2003 Philippine Bar Exams.
A screenshot of the US Department of Justice website was shown on video.
The internet release where three were indicted was also dhown.
Atty. Baclay said that Michael was arrested and detained without warrant of arrest. It’s without the benefit of the Miranda Rights and the International Convention.
He noted November is a Thanksgiving Day in the US.
Dec. 9, when they were dining in a restaurant, and men introducing themselves as FBI agents, suddenly grabbed and handcuffed Michael, and until now they are still detained.
Three indicted and internet domain seized in US$44 million.
He explained that a scam is when someone calls you and when the caller got something from you, could not anymore be located..
Until now, Michael and Bryan are still detained in Sta. Monica, California Detention Facility.
Chula Vista woman, Filipino couple accused of running $44 million, another screenshot of a publication.
Pinoys tagged in $44 million US book publishing scam arrested where allegedly elderly innocent individuals were victimized.
We categorically deny any illegal or criminal act was comitted.
Even before I became involved in this matter, It’s very sensitive. Even up to now we are waiting for the US DOJ about the $44 million.
It only involved $2 million and there were refunds in thousands of dollars for only nine clients of the rogue agents .
They were refunded. $140,000 was refunded to the complainants. There’s no fraud. There’s no scam.
The agents were formerly connected with InnoCentrix.
Even before the Dec. 9, 2024 incident, the company has filed charges against the rogue agents. They were terminated, after the preventive suspension and hearing before the DOLE.
This is a big case worldwide about the publishing scam. Unfortunately, the innocent individuals were pinned down.
Another clear indication that the company is not involved in scamming, that is the US$140,000 refund.
He explained that the author contacted the publisher and an agent would talk about the Customer Care Center where complaints were filed.
Based on the US DOJ press release, there were 800 author victims.
There’s no US$44 million and there’s no 800 author victims.
“Based on the merits and facts of the case, we believe in the innocence of our client.”
“We believe that there’s no fraudulent scam committed.”
Michael already changed his lawyers. When he was detained, he did not know any lawyer in the US as he was just a tourist there.
They were detained. They were in custody. There was no warrant of arrest. They were suddenly handcuffed.
I categorically believe that Michael is innocent of the charges.
During the 2020-2022 Covid-19 pandemic, the three agents allegedly continued their fraudulent activities online.
In any company, you cannot prevent anyone from committing any criminal act.
The US Bill of Rights was also violated.
However, there were fake news that Michael scammed 800 authors continues to circulate. The figure is bloated with the aim of maligning the good name of Michael and his company, Innocentrix Philippines.
Innocentrix is not a scam Cebu City is not a scam center. It has a strong and established guidelines.
Fraudulent acts were committed by the suspended agents.
There were no instructions from Michael and Bryan to commit fraudulent acts.
The DFA Los Angeles Consulate may even be not aware of the incident.
Michael and Bryan were detained without the benefit of the Miranda Rights and the provision of the US Constitutional Rights.
Innocentrix is now not operational since Dec. 9, 2024 because of the incident.
The family of Michael and Bryan would not entertain any interviews at the moment.
Atty. Baclay was not sure whether there was a warrant of arrest, as it was not shown, and the extrajudicial rendition does not apply as Michael and Bryan were arrested within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States. ###
