Imelda Marcos' former secretary convicted in NY of Monet sale

NEW YORK — A former aide to ex-Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos has been convicted in New York of conspiracy in the sale of a $32 million Claude Monet painting the Philippines government says it owns.

The Manhattan district attorney said Monday that Vilma Bautista also was found guilty of tax fraud and of using a fake document to authorize her sale of the painting.

The 1899 water lily painting was among four works that came into Bautista's possession after the fall of Ferdinand Marcos' government in 1986. She sold it in 2010 to a London gallery.

Defense lawyers said Bautista believed Imelda Marcos owned the paintings and Bautista had authority to sell them for her, though she never turned over the proceeds.

Ownership is being determined in civil courts.