Andina

Odebrecht representative confirms Peruvian company knew about bribes

Photo: AFP

Photo: AFP

00:00 | Curitiba (Brazil), Apr. 24.

Former Odebrecht representative in Peru Jorge Barata on Tuesday informed Graña y Montero construction corporation knew about the bribe payments for the execution of Lima Metro Line, Peruvian journalists in Curitiba have reported.

In this sense, Barata assured that the Peruvian company —partner of the Brazilian construction giant— was aware of the illegal payments made during the execution of Lima Metro Line's Stretch 1 and before the signing of the contract for Stretch 2, through the so-called "additional risks."

At the end of the first interrogation day, Prosecutor Rafael Vela indicated the ex-representative confirmed the statements of former Odebrecht Executive Carlos Nostre, the Contracts Department Director.

Last year, Nostre revealed that Odebrecht had paid bribes worth over US$24 million to win the bid in order to build Lima Metro Line. However, he did not know the destination of US$14.386 million. 

"He (Barata) has explained in detail the figures provided by Mr. Nostre on a past occasion. We are satisfied with the information (…)," Vela said. 

The former Odebrecht representative will continue answering the questions about the illegal payments made for Lima Metro Line on Wednesday. 

The interrogations take place from April 23 to 26 at Curitiba-based Prosecutor's Office. 

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) RMCH/DTK/MVB

Published: 4/24/2019