Peru: Lava Jato Prosecutors to receive six Odebrecht-related corruption cases

16:49 | Lima, Aug. 19.

Peruvian Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Offices have agreed to send six prosecutorial files —concerning Odebrecht-linked corruption cases— to the Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group, the Public Ministry informed Monday.

The six reports are "Contribution to the 2001-2016 Campaign," "Puente Piedra Toll Road," "Camana-Ilo Coastal Road," "Energy of Hydroelectric Power Plants," "Olmos Project," and "Cuñumbuque San Jose de Sisa Highway."

The delivery of the above-mentioned information was agreed on following a work meeting held last Friday between Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group Coordinator Rafael Vela and the Prosecutor's Offices Specialized in Corruption Offenses Committed by Public Officials National Coordinator Omar Tello.

Attorney General Zoraida Avalos —who was also present during the audience— indicated the delivery should take place as soon as possible, taking into account the necessary logistic and security mechanisms.

A seventh file known as "Centralita II" will not be sent yet, as it will be assessed in a coordination meeting to determine its transfer or if Prosecutor Elmer Chirre remains in charge of it.

Finally, the Public Ministry informed that —in order to make progress in the investigations— coordination meetings between the special team and the Prosecutor's Offices Specialized in Corruption Offenses Committed by Public Officials will continue to be held under the direction of the Attorney General.

Odebrecht

In mid-February, Peru's Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group signed the long-awaited collaboration agreement with Odebrecht representatives and former employees in Brazil. The accord did not include the Southern Gas Pipeline project.

This deal was intended to procure evidence and testimonies for the investigation of corruption cases in the Andean nation.

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.

As a result, 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).

Former presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori —currently under preventive detention— allegedly received money from Odebrecht for her 2011 campaign.

Ex-Lima Mayor Susana Villaran also admitted that Odebrecht and OAS had financed an anti-recall campaign during her tenure between 2011 and 2014. She currently serves a 24-month preventive detention.

(END) RSJ/CVC/DTK/MVB

Publicado: 19/8/2019