Interrogation to former Odebrecht representative Barata has begun in Brazil

Photo: AFP

12:04 | Curitiba (Brazil), Apr. 23.

Peru's Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group on Tuesday interrogated former Odebrecht representative in the Inca country Jorge Barata on the contributions made to APRA —deceased ex-President Alan Garcia's political party— 2006 presidential campaign.

Barata told Peruvian Prosecutors that Odebrecht had given US$200,000 to Garcia's presidential campaign in the aforementioned year, when he had run against Ollanta Humala to win the Presidency.

On April 6, 2019, investigative journalism site IDL-Reporteros showed documents of alleged transfers from Box Two worth US$100,000. From this amount, US$40,000 were destined for APRA and US$60,000 for "Laque," an alias allegedly used by former APRA Congressman and Interior Minister Luis Alva Castro.

The interrogations take place until April 26 at Curitiba-based Prosecutor's Office.

Barata arrived at the institution joined by his attorney Carlos Kauffman. Special team Prosecutors Rafael Vela and Jose Domingo Perez, as well as Brazilian State Attorney Orlando Martello —who is in charge of the interrogation— were also present at the site.

Collaboration agreement

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.

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

Odebrecht will pay S/610 million (around US$182 million) —plus interests that may arise— in civil reparations to the Peruvian State over a period of 15 years as part of this agreement.

(END) FHG/DTK/MVB

Published: 4/23/2019

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Interrogation to former Odebrecht representative Barata has begun in Brazil

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