Andina

Peru: Former First Lady Heredia accused of leading organization to favor Odebrecht

14:48 | Lima, Jul. 30.

Prosecutor Geovana Mori on Thursday affirmed that former First Lady Nadine Heredia was the leader of a criminal organization —under the administration of former President Ollanta Humala (2011-2016)— aimed at favoring Brazilian company Odebrecht.

At the preventive detention hearing, she and two other defendants —former Economy Minister Luis Miguel Castilla and former Energy-Mines Minister Eleodoro Mayorga— were accused of the crimes of illicit association for criminal purposes and aggravated collusion.

"Nadine Heredia is accused of being the perpetrator of the crimes of illicit association for criminal purposes and aggravated collusion, as well as the leader whose aim was to favor Brazilian companies (Odebrecht) with the Southern Gas Pipeline Project," the prosecutor stated.

Furthermore, Mori said that Heredia is alleged to have acted as "de facto government official," which was materialized through the change in the Organization and Functions Regulation (ROF) in her capacity as First Lady.

In the case of Luis Miguel Castilla, he was also accused of illicit association for criminal purposes and aggravated collusion, for his participation —as Minister of Economy and Chairman of ProInversion's Board of Directors— in actions to favor Odebrecht.

The same crimes were attributed to Eleodoro Mayorga, who was a member of ProInversion's Board of Directors —in charge of the Southern Gas Pipeline project— while serving as Energy and Mines Minister, and for returning the letter of guarantee to Kuntur company.

According to the prosecutor, the alleged illegal acts against this criminal organization are supported by documents, statements by witnesses and effective collaborators, as well as Nadine Heredia's journals.

(END) JCC/VVS/RMB/MVB

Publicado: 30/7/2020