Peru: Judiciary assesses 36-month preventive detention request against ex-Lima Mayor

11:37 | Lima, May. 14.

The Third Preparatory Investigation Court for Corruption Offenses Committed by Public Officials on Tuesday assesses the Public Ministry's 36-month preventive detention request 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 an anti-recall campaign during her tenure between 2011 and 2014.

The former official is joined by her attorney.

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

69-year-old Villaran allegedly committed the offenses when she accepted the money from companies Odebrecht and OAS to finance her anti-recall campaign and in favor of her unsuccessful reelection.

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

The audience was initially going to take place on Monday. Prosecutor Carlos Puma —member of the Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group— asked for additional 48 hours to submit new evidence.

However, the judge only granted him 24 hours.

Odebrecht and OAS

In 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.

Last Saturday, 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) is not linked to the contributions.

(END) CCR/DTK/MVB

Published: 5/14/2019

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Peru: Judiciary assesses 36-month preventive detention request against ex-Lima Mayor

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