Andina

Ex-Odebrecht representative confirms financial contributions to Simon, Flores campaigns

Photo: EFE

Photo: EFE

16:43 | Curitiba (Brazil), Mar. 11.

Former Odebrecht Superintendent in Peru Jorge Barata on Wednesday explained to Peruvian prosecutors the money route followed by the contribution of US$300,000 made to the Yehude Simon campaign, Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group Coordinator Rafael Vela has informed.

That amount of money, he said, is linked to the campaign for Region Governor of Partido Humanista (Humanist Party) —founded by Simon— and the campaign for Congress of the former Prime Minister.

"In total, it amounts to approximately US$300,000. That is what Barata originally admitted to. The money route was provided, he disclosed bank accounts, and the 'doleiros' in this case (were sponsored by) Construmac, owned by Gonzalo Monteverde Bussalleu," he said.

He mentioned that —on a previous occasion— Barata acknowledged the delivery of US$178,000, and that today's statement confirmed the remaining amount.

From the Brazilian city of Curitiba —where Barata testified before Peruvian Prosecutor Jose Domingo Perez— he indicated that the US$65,000 for the Congress campaign was delivered under the codinome (code name) 'Extra' —having Javier Malaga as intermediary.

The former officer noted that US$20,000 was part of the US$300,000 pledged to Yehude Simon in 2006, which were intended for that party to remain for more than eight years leading the northern Peruvian region.  

According to the prosecutor's thesis, Odebrecht's contributions —in favor of the campaign— were made in exchange for becoming the beneficiary in the Olmos Irrigation Project bidding process.


He served as Prime Minister during former President Alan Garcia's second term in office (October 2008 - July 2009), Congressman (July 2011 - July 2016), and Lambayeque Region Governor (January 2003 - March 2009).

Lourdes Flores campaign

Moreover, Barata confirmed that the Odebrecht company gave contributions of US$70,000 and US$30,000 to the Lourdes Flores campaign for Mayor of Lima in 2010.

That money was registered through the codinome 'Campanha Regional' and via Raymundo Trindade Serra, according to local media reports.

Lourdes Flores is a lawyer who served as Congresswoman between 1990 and 2000. Later, she ran unsuccessfully for President of Peru twice (2001 and 2006), also for Mayor of Lima in 2010 losing to Susana Villaran.

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.

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— also allegedly received money from Odebrecht for her 2011 campaign.

(END) FHG/CVC/MVB

Published: 3/11/2020