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Peru ex-President Toledo: Maiman negotiated behind my back

10:52 | San Francisco (U.S.), Jul. 22.

Detained ex-Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo affirmed that Israeli entrepreneur Josef Maiman had negotiated with Brazilian company Odebrecht behind his back and denied having received the money deposited in Maiman's accounts by the Brazilian company.

In a statement given to Globes, Israel's business arena —before he was arrested in California by an extradition order against him— Toledo indicated he has documents proving this, adding his ex-friend used his name without his consent.

"Josef Maiman is a compulsive storyteller. He lied, betrayed (…)," he said.

Likewise, Toledo stressed Maiman had taken advantage of their friendship in order to become rich during his term in office as the South American country's president (2001-2006).

Furthermore, the former Head of State branded him as a compulsive liar and accused him of changing his version of the events five times.

Last June, Josef Maiman admitted to Peru's Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group that the US$35 million Odebrecht had deposited in his accounts had been bribes intended for ex-President Alejandro Toledo.

His testimony was decisive in order to support the complaint against Toledo.

Finally, the ex-President informed he had sent a letter to Israel's Foreign Affairs minister protesting that the Israeli Government allowed the signing of the collaboration agreement with Maiman to take place at the Peruvian Embassy in Tel Aviv in March.

According to Toledo, he expressed his concerns, as he believed the embassy was being used to violate his right to defense.

U.S. Judge: Toledo to remain detained

Toledo (2001-2006) will face his extradition process detained in a U.S. cell. The decision was made in the city of San Francisco on June 19 by United States Magistrate Judge Thomas S. Hixson.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elise LaPunzina was in charge of supporting the complaint against Toledo and the need for the ex-President to remain detained during the extradition process.

According to Peruvian El Comercio newspaper, LaPunzina indicated the ex-President did not prove that he complies with the special conditions to be released on bond and underlined there is a considerable risk of flight.

Likewise, she stressed that a bag containing at least US$40,000 in cash was found inside Toledo's house when he was detained, adding these funds could be intended for escaping.

The Assistant U.S. Attorney —who represented the Peruvian State— explained the extradition process does not imply the charges are true, it only enables the accused to be judged in the South American country.

After listening to the arguments, U.S. Magistrate Judge Hixson asked if the money found in Toledo's house was intended for escaping.

Witnesses affirmed Toledo looked concerned during the audience.

His wife Eliane Karp —who was born in Europe and became First Lady of Peru (2001-2006)— was also present at the bail hearing.

Later, Karp insulted Peruvian Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group Coordinator Rafael Vela, who travelled from Lima to the Bay Area to attend the event.

The hearing took place at the Phillip Burton Federal Building in San Francisco.

According to the Peruvian Prosecutor's Office, Toledo received more than US$20 million in bribes from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht to favor it during his presidency (2001-2006) with the concession of the South Interoceanic Highway. With this money, the former president paid mortgages and properties in Peru.

Toledo detained in the U.S.

As is known, former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo was arrested in the United States by an extradition order against him, within the framework of the investigations over alleged corruption offenses in the awarding of the South Interoceanic Highway Project to Brazilian company Odebrecht.

The Peruvian Public Ministry's International Judicial Cooperation and Extraditions Unit (UCJIE) Head Senior Prosecutor Celia Goicochea indicated the detention took place on July 16 at 6:30 AM (local time) in the State of California.

Furthermore, Goicochea recalled the extradition request was submitted to United States' authorities on May 25, 2018.

After U.S. authorities' questions were addressed, the Department of Justice notified the Public Ministry's UCJIE on July 2 that the arrest order was being prepared in order to extradite the ex-President.

"It is a favorable result, as the judicial phase will start," she said.

Finally, the Peruvian prosecutor thanked her counterpart in the United States, for the valuable cooperation in the monitoring of the extradition file and the permanent communication with the national authority.

Click here to read the facts of the extradition request against Toledo.

(END) CCR/DTK/MVB

Published: 7/22/2019

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Peru ex-President Toledo: Maiman negotiated behind my back

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