Peru: Ex-Lima Mayor's preventive detention extended

14:28 | Lima, May. 31.

Peru's First National Criminal Appeals Chamber Specializing in Corruption Offenses Committed by Public Officials extended preventive detention of ex-Lima Mayor Susana Villaran (2011-2014) from 18 to 24 months, claiming the case is complex.

The same measure was applied to Villaran's former Municipal Manager Jose Miguel Castro and Dialogo Vecinal political party's ex-Economy Secretary Luis Ernesto Gomez-Cornejo.

Villaran, Castro, and Gomez-Cornejo had appealed the preventive detention orders, but the Judicial Branch confirmed the precautionary measure.

Odebrecht and OAS

Last April, ex-Odebrecht representative in Peru Jorge Barata confirmed the contributions —worth US$3 million— made to ex-Lima Mayor Susana Villaran for her anti-recall campaign had originated from the company's Division of Structured Operations, the bribery department.

Furthermore, Barata affirmed former Municipal Manager Jose Miguel Castro had used the alias "Budian" and received the tainted money from Odebrecht.

On May 11, the ex-Lima Mayor admitted Brazilian companies Odebrecht and OAS had financed her anti-recall campaign.

Likewise, Villaran affirmed she and Castro were the only ones involved in receiving money from Odebrecht and OAS, adding ex-Citizen Security Manager Gabriel Prado (2011-2013) was not linked to the contributions.

In May, the Third Preparatory Investigation Court for Corruption Offenses Committed by Public Officials ordered an 18-month preventive detention against ex-Lima Mayor Susana Villaran, within the framework of the money laundering investigation on the financing —made by Brazilian companies Odebrecht and OAS— for campaigns during her tenure between 2011 and 2014.

As is known, the Public Ministry had requested to change the measure —of appearance with restrictions on Villaran— to 36-month preventive detention, as evidence of illicit association to commit crimes, proper passive bribery, and money laundering offenses were found.

At that time, Judge Jorge Chavez said he had decided for a shorter term because the investigation against her was already well advanced.

Odebrecht (US$3 million) and OAS (US$7 million) allegedly contributed a total of US$10 million.

(END) SMA/DTK/RMB

Published: 5/31/2019

Peru: Ex-Lima Mayor's preventive detention extended

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