Hikaru Utada's Mother Caught With $420,000 At Kennedy Airpor

[Liddo Annie]

NEW YORK — Keiko Fuji, mother of Japanese pop star Hikaru Utada, was caught with more than $420,000 in cash at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York in March, according to the U.S. document search engine The Smoking Gun. The search engine said on its website Friday that screeners at the airport discovered the money in the carry-on luggage of Fuji, a former enka or Japanese ballad singer, as she waited to board an America West flight to Las Vegas on March 6.

During questioning, Fuji, whose real name is Junko Utada, denied any wrongdoing and said the money came partly from gambling winnings.

"A forfeiture complaint filed by federal prosecutors noted that the money — 4,149 $100 bills — was bundled, wrapped in paper, and secured with rubber bands," the Smoking Gun said. "Agents also recovered some Australian and Canadian currency, for a total seizure of $421,489.44, according to the September 25 complaint."

Prosecutors seeking her forfeiture of the money alleged that it represents proceeds of drug sales or was intended to be used to buy drugs.

But she has filed a "claim of ownership" with the Drug Enforcement Agency for the funds to retrieve the money.

Fuji's office said the money was seized but the amount of money and other details are under study. It also added that the money was not drug-related.


© 2006 Kyodo News. All rights reserved. No reproduction or republication without written permission.

[froggyboy604]

That must suck. I don't really believe utada hikaru's mom is a drug user or dealer. She should of deposit it on a bank, tho before boarding a plane.

[babydorkee]

HOLY SHEEET! THATS HELLA MONEYY! i wonder what she was doing with it...

[froggyboy604]

I heard She earned the money from gambling in las vegas. i wonder what game

[babydorkee]

wow musta been helllla lucky! haha