A Seattle man, who has been in hiding in the Philippines after being wrongfully imprisoned, is now coming home.
The family of Scott McMahon told KIRO 7 the Philippine government is now allowing him to leave the country.
The government confiscated McMahon’s passport and demanded $10,000 in fines after his visa expired while he was in prison.
#Breaking Scott McMahon @FreeMcmahon is being freed from the Philippines, and is booking a flight to Seattle Sunday. pic.twitter.com/WJpBIHHRD6
— Gary Horcher (@GaryKIRO7) September 1, 2016
The Philippine courts ruled that McMahon was falsely accused of rape by a woman who was trying to extort money from him.
The U.S. state Department assisted in his release, and he won’t have to pay the fines to leave the country.
McMahon has booked a flight home Sunday.
Here are previous KIRO 7 reports:
- Aug. 16, 2016: Seattle man in hiding in Philippines after court declares his innocence
- Aug. 1, 2016: Seattle man imprisoned for 5 years in Philippines is acquitted
- April 8, 2016: 5-years and counting: UN questions why Seattle man is imprisoned in Philippines without trial
- Dec. 25, 2014: On Christmas Day, family focused on freeing man imprisoned in Philippines
- Oct. 1, 2014: Legal groups demand release of Seattle man imprisoned in Philippines
Cox Media Group
