HCMC People’s Court to hear case against former model Ngoc Thuy

Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court on Nov 18 took charge of the   lawsuit filed by a Vietnamese-American businessman who has demanded that his ex-wife, former model Pham Thi Ngoc Thuy, return all assets bought with his money during their marriage.

Nguyen Quoc An, a 49-year-old Vietnamese-American businessman has filed a lawsuit against his model wife, Pham Thi Ngoc Thuy, 31, asking for return of all properties and assets amounting to VND288 billion (US$13.7 million) which include some bank accounts and 39 real estate properties, purchased by An with his personal money in Vietnam.

The 39 real estate properties include five apartments in Avalon Building in District 1 of HCMC, four flats at the Sailing Tower building in the same district, 13 coastal villas in Sea Links Golf Country in Phan Thiet City , besides a few other properties in District 12 of HCMC. An is also asking return of equity shares and many luxury cars.

An told the court that soon after marrying top model Ngoc Thuy in 2006 in the US , he returned to Vietnam and bought all these properties in Thuy’s name as he was an American citizen and was not allowed to own properties in his name in Vietnam .

When he and Thuy divorced in the US in March 2008, the Supreme   Court in the State of California ruled that he has exclusive right to his assets bought with his money in Thuy’s name.

However, even after the court ruling Thuy did not return the assets but instead sold or transferred some to other people, including her relatives, An said.

6 months ago, An filed a lawsuit against Thuy with the District 1 People’s Court, who referred it further to the City People’s Court as it was not in their jurisdiction.