Odebrecht representative: Ex-President Toledo demanded bribe for Interoceanic Stretch 4

19:07 | Curitiba (Brazil), Apr. 26.

Prosecutor German Juarez on Friday affirmed ex-President Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006) had requested a bribe for the construction of the South Interoceanic Highway Project's Stretch 4 —executed by Intersur consortium— according to information provided by former Odebrecht representative in Peru Jorge Barata.


"Barata says he (Toledo) had asked for bribes for the Stretches 2 and 3. He had also asked (for bribes) to another consortium. Logically, this means he may have asked for two bribes," Prosecutor Juarez told reporters following the audience.

Intersur consortium —composed of Camargo Correa, Queiroz Galvao, and Andrade Gutierrez— was in charge of building the South Interoceanic Highway's Stretch 4.

Likewise, Barata stated that Toledo's ex-presidential security team chief Avi Dan On had asked him —on more than one occasion— to talk with Intersur so they would pay the agreed bribe. 

Positive balance 

Furthermore, Prosecutor Juarez deemed as positive Barata's testimonies, noting the investigative team will return to Peru satisfied with the collected information

 
Moreover, Juarez informed they do not expect to receive further statements from Barata, who must appear at oral trials once the investigation reaches that phase. 

Remarks were made on the final day of interrogations held in Curitiba (Brazil).


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) FHG/CCR/DTK/MVB

Published: 4/26/2019