Toledo case: Assistant U.S. Attorney says over US$1 million is unaccounted for

Photo: AFP

10:55 | San Francisco (U.S.), Jul. 20.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elise LaPunzina spoke during a hearing in the extradition case of ex-Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006), saying he had a significant amount of cash in his house when he was arrested and there is more than US$1 million which is unaccounted for.

"Mr. Toledo has access to presumedly significant amounts of money, as detailed in the extradition request and also based on the information that they have," LaPunzina stated on Friday.

"He had a significant amount of cash in his house at the time he was arrested, and there is a large amount of money, over US$1 million, which is unaccounted for at this time," she said at the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

In support of her position regarding Toledo's arrest, LaPunzina said he presents a significant risk of flight and has no ties to the United States beyond his wife and daughter.

She also reported that the ex-Peruvian President has a history of extensive foreign travel as recently as 2017 and has a number of ties outside of the United States.

"He has ties to Peru, where he has a number of family members and has political connections as a result of his being a former President of Peru," the Assistant U.S. Attorney affirmed.

She pointed out there is the risk he might flee to any country which does not have an extradition treaty with Peru, adding his wife has Israeli citizenship.

Based on these reasons, the Assistant U.S. Attorney believes he must be kept under arrest until the extradition case is resolved.

Toledo to remain detained

Ex-Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006) will face his extradition process detained in a U.S. cell. The decision was made in the city of San Francisco on Friday by United States Magistrate Judge Thomas S. Hixson.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elise LaPunzina was in charge of supporting the complaint against Toledo and the need for the ex-President to remain detained during the extradition process.

Toledo's attorney was Joseph P. Russoniello.

According to Peruvian El Comercio newspaper, LaPunzina indicated the ex-President did not prove that he complies with the special conditions to be released on bond and underlined there is a considerable risk of flight.

Likewise, she stressed that a bag containing at least US$40,000 in cash was found inside Toledo's house when he was detained, adding these funds could be intended for escaping.

On the other hand, Russoniello ruled out there might be a risk of flight and recalled Toledo has links to the U.S. community.

Furthermore, he pointed out the extradition process should not be carried out, as the ex-President's case is under investigation and there are not charges.

He went on to add Toledo's indigenous status and his stance against fujimorismo (supporters of imprisoned ex-President Alberto Fujimori) would prevent him from getting a fair process in Peru.

However, the Assistant U.S. Attorney —who represented the Peruvian State— explained the extradition process does not imply the charges are true, it only enables the accused to be judged in the South American country.

After listening to the arguments, U.S. Magistrate Judge Hixson asked if the money found in Toledo's house was intended for escaping.

Witnesses affirmed Toledo looked concerned during the audience.

His wife Eliane Karp —who was born in Europe and became First Lady of Peru (2001-2006)— was also present at the bail hearing.

Later, Karp insulted Peruvian Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group Coordinator Rafael Vela, who travelled from Lima to the Bay Area to attend the event.

The hearing took place at the Phillip Burton Federal Building in San Francisco.

According to the Peruvian Prosecutor's Office, Toledo received more than US$20 million in bribes from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht to favor it during his presidency (2001-2006) with the concession of the South Interoceanic Highway. With this money, the former president paid mortgages and properties in Peru.

Toledo detained in the U.S.

As is known, former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo was arrested in the United States by an extradition order against him, within the framework of the investigations over alleged corruption offenses in the awarding of the South Interoceanic Highway Project to Brazilian company Odebrecht.

The Peruvian Public Ministry's International Judicial Cooperation and Extraditions Unit (UCJIE) Head Senior Prosecutor Celia Goicochea indicated the detention took place on July 16 at 6:30 AM (local time) in the State of California.

Furthermore, Goicochea recalled the extradition request was submitted to United States' authorities on May 25, 2018.

After U.S. authorities' questions were addressed, the Department of Justice notified the Public Ministry's UCJIE on July 2 that the arrest order was being prepared in order to extradite the ex-President.

"It is a favorable result, as the judicial phase will start," she said.

Finally, the Peruvian prosecutor thanked her counterpart in the United States, for the valuable cooperation in the monitoring of the extradition file and the permanent communication with the national authority.

Click here to read the facts of the extradition request against Toledo.

(END) DTK/FHG/RMB/MVB

Published: 7/20/2019

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