Peru Attorney General: Collaboration agreement with Maiman to enable data collection

Photo: EFE

16:29 | Lima, Mar. 29.

The collaboration agreement —signed between the Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group and Israeli entrepreneur Josef Maiman, within the framework of the investigation on former President Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006)— will enable the collection of important information, Attorney General Zoraida Avalos affirmed Friday.

"At this moment, Prosecutors Rafael Vela and Jose Domingo Perez are in Israel signing the accord (…)," the official expressed at a press conference following her swearing-in ceremony at the Public Ministry headquarters in Lima.

Within this framework, the Public Ministry head reaffirmed her support for the Lava Jato special team.

Likewise, she indicated Prosecutors Vela and Perez currently carry out a completely-independent and reserved work.

Maiman —a former friend of Toledo— stated he had used his bank accounts to make money transfers from Odebrecht to the ex-President, as part of the bribes paid to secure the Inter-Oceanic Highway contract.

In 2017, the businessman requested a collaboration agreement, after it was revealed his company was involved in the probe on Toledo's money.

Alejandro Toledo is wanted by Peruvian justice.

Interim Attorney General

Last January, Avalos assumed the post of interim Attorney General to replace Pedro Chavarry, who stepped down from the job amid widespread unrest following his decision to remove the top prosecutors investigating the Lava Jato case, which was subsequently reversed.

As interim Attorney General, Avalos decided to declare the Public Ministry in a state of emergency in order to regain citizens' trust in the institution.

In Peru, the Public Ministry is independent from the Executive Branch.

Odebrecht

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) CVC/CCR/DTK/MVB

Published: 3/29/2019

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