Joe Calzaghe with his then girlfriend Jo-Emma Larvin in 2009
(Picture: Getty Images)The model ex-girlfriend of boxer Joe Calzaghe has denied smuggling criminal cash out of the country in an alleged £104 million money laundering operation.
Jo-Emma Larvin, 43, is accused of being part of a network of willing “mules” who took suitcases of cash — believed to be from drug dealing — on flights to Dubai. The glamour model-turned-wildlife photographer appeared at Isleworth crown court on Thursday with partner Jonathan Johnson, 54.
Larvin, who runs a lifestyle firm, had a six-year relationship with Welsh boxing champion Calzaghe.
It ended in 2009, shortly before he began dating Strictly Come Dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff.
Larvin and Johnson, who live in Ripon, North Yorkshire, are set to stand trial in February alongside Amy Harrison, 27, of Worcester Park, Liam Rabone, 29, of Kensington, and Beatrice Auty, 26, of Chelsea.
They all deny removing criminal property from England and Wales.
Craig Bramall, 41, of Salford, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, and Ali Al Nawab, 38, of Golders Green, and Mehdi Amrollahibiyouki, 40, of Finchley, who deny a similar charge, will stand trial later. Samantha Horst, 50, of Staines; Toni Groves, 32, of Manchester; Bridget Taylor 42, of Edinburgh, and Megan Reeves, 29, of Doncaster, have not entered pleas.
The National Crime Agency probe has seen ringleader Abdullah Mohammed Ali Bin Beyat Alfalasi, 47, jailed for nine years.
