Andina

Peru Prosecutor: Odebrecht provided privileged information

Photo: AFP

Photo: AFP

11:23 | Sao Paulo (Brazil), Aug. 7.

Peruvian Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group Coordinator Rafael Vela has affirmed the interrogations of former Odebrecht officers Jorge Barata and Ricardo Boleira in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo provided privileged information for on-going processes, as well as for new investigations to be opened.

In this sense, Vela indicated he feels satisfied with the significant quantity of privileged information given within the framework of the collaboration agreement existing between the Peruvian State and the Brazilian company

Likewise, he informed the interrogated people answered all the questions and explained the cases, in which data has not been decoded. 

Vela pointed out the documentary information —previously delivered by Odebrecht— needed to be clarified by the former officers who had authorized —at that time— unrecorded transactions. 

Remarks were made after the interrogations of Barata and Boleira, in which they talked about the aliases of Peruvian politicians and officials who had received illegal payments from Odebrecht. 

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. The accord did not include the Southern Gas Pipeline project.

This deal was 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)

(END) RMCH/DTK/MVB

Published: 8/7/2019