Andina

Former Odebrecht representative authorized payment to ex-Peruvian Governor

12:40 | Curitiba (Brazil), Apr. 25.

Former Odebrecht representative in Peru Jorge Barata had authorized a US$3 million bribe payment for ex-Cusco Region Governor Jorge Acurio, Prosecutor German Juarez informed Thursday.

Following an interrogation at the Brazilian Public Ministry in Curitiba, the Prosecutor indicated the subjects, who have more detailed information about this event, are former Odebrecht officers Renato Ribeiro Bortoletti and Ricardo Boleira. 

"He (Jorge Barata) has confirmed the bribe request (made by Acurio) of 3% of Cusco's Evitamiento Road's reference value," he expressed.

In May 2017, Acurio was arrested and charged with alleged money laundering and influence peddling offenses. He currently serves 18-month preventive detention, which will end in September this year. 

According to the investigations, Acurio allegedly received US$3 million from Odebrecht, while he served as Cusco Region Governor to favor the company in the road bidding process.

Concerning this specific case, the former official is the only suspect in jail, since businessman Gustavo Salazar is in the United States and lawyer Jose Zaragoza has been imposed appearance with restrictions. 

Remarks were made on the third day of interrogations taking place in Brazil thru April 26.

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.

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

(END) JCC/CVC/DTK/MVB

Published: 4/25/2019