The Peruvian State Ad Hoc Attorney's Office will not give in to Odebrecht's pressure to begin damages negotiations before the true extent of losses caused is determined, ad hoc Attorney on the said graft case Katherine Ampuero affirmed on Monday.
In this sense, the lawyer roundly emphasized State attorneys "will not abide by the company's [Odebrecht] 'no-negotiation-then-no-information' terms."
Following in the footsteps of former company representative Jorge Barata —currently under investigations in his homeland Brazil— Odebrecht's present representative in Lima has also opted for the plea bargain mechanism.
Ampuero explained that since said money-laundering investigations are in still on the preliminary stage, the Prosecutor's Office is yet to determine investigation acts on parties involved.
"Given the pace of investigations, we have no knowledge of the loss caused to the State, so negotiating [now] would be irresponsible," she explained.
"What is the rush? Why not reveal the loss caused to the State? Damages must be proportional to the loss caused," she stressed.
In this respect, Ampuero insisted State attorneys will not proceed with damages negotiations until the true scale of the harm caused is established.
"I urge the company to deliver on its international commitments. They said they would contribute to justice in countries where money laundering offences were committed. Let's allow the Prosecutor's Office to do its job, and we will determine damages in due time," she said.
More than three cases
On the other hand, the State attorney said it would be "naive" and "gullible" to believe corruption and money-laundering acts only took place in cases such as: Lima Metro Line 1, the Inter-Oceanic Highway, as well as the delivery of US$3 million to former First Lady Nadine Heredia to fund the Nationalist Party's campaign.
"We are doing a responsible, serious job. We defend the interests of the State, and we will continue to do so," she assured.
Finally, Ampuero explained ad hoc attorneys will be summoned once the plea bargain process is completed.
"It must be clear this proceeding does not take years. It will depend on how fast the [plea bargain] subject gives the information, and how fast the prosecutor verifies said input. At that point, we will be called and we'll establish the sum to be paid," she concluded.
(END) FHG/CCR/DHT/MVB