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Peru: Lava Jato Prosecutors to access investigations on tax crimes

12:42 | Lima, Jun. 20.

Peru's Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group will have access to the investigations on tax crimes allegedly committed by Odebrecht and others, as Attorney General Zoraida Avalos has expanded the team's competences.

According to a resolution signed by the Attorney General —and published in El Peruano official gazette— this measure includes Odebrecht officers and former officers, as well as the economic group's societies linked to the Lava Jato case. 

In this sense, the Prosecutor's Offices that currently investigate the tax crimes allegedly committed by the Brazilian company must send the information to the Prosecutor's Office special team coordinator.

This request —submitted by Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group Coordinator Rafael Vela— is aimed at unifying the investigation, improving the prosecutorial strategy, and preventing double probes for a better functional performance.

In December 2016, the prosecutor team was created, so its members could exclusively focus on the investigations linked to corruption offenses committed by public officials and other crimes that Obebrecht allegedly committed.

In August 2017, the group's competence was expanded with the purpose of including money laundering offenses and seizure of illegal assets processes. 

Collaboration agreement
       
As is known, the Brazilian construction giant admitted to having paid millions in bribes to government officials in Peru, in order to secure public-works contracts.

Therefore, Odebrecht benefited from over US$143 million between 2005 and 2014 in Peru, according to the U.S. Justice Department. 

In addition, four ex-Presidents have been linked to the Brazilian company such as: Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006), Alan Garcia (2006-2011), Ollanta Humala (2011-2016), and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018)




(END) JCC/CVC/DTK/MVB

Publicado: 20/6/2019