LIMA, April 24 (NNN-ANDINA) – Former Odebrecht representative in Peru Jorge Barata on Tuesday confirmed the Brazilian company had made contributions to the campaigns of former Presidents Ollanta Humala, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, and Alejandro Toledo, as well as to candidate Lourdes Flores Nano, investigative journalism site IDL-Reporteros informed.
During the interrogation, Barata confirmed the donations had been made to the campaigns of Peruvian politicians over recent years.
Therefore, he corroborated the statement of former Odebrecht Manager Raymundo Trindade Serra who —last February— indicated monetary contributions had been delivered to the campaign of Lourdes Flores Nano, former Partido Popular Cristiano (PPC) leader.
In this sense, he informed Odebrecht had given between US$10,000 and US$15,000 for the 2006 general elections, as well as US$200,000 for the 2010 mayoral elections. The latter had been delivered to ex-arbitrator Horacio Canepa in four installments worth US$50,000 each.
Concerning Ollanta Humala, Barata affirmed in 2018 the Brazilian company had financed with US$3 million his 2011 presidential campaign.
Earlier, he said US$200,000 had been donated to the APRA —deceased ex-President Alan Garcia’s party— 2006 presidential campaign.
Likewise, Barata acknowledged US$3 million had been contributed to ex-Lima Mayor Susana Villaran (2011-2014) for her anti-recall campaign.
This information was provided during the first part of the interrogation on contributions to electoral campaigns in Peru.
The interrogations take place until April 26 at Curitiba-based Prosecutor’s Office.
Barata arrived at the institution joined by his attorney Carlos Kauffman. Special team Prosecutors Rafael Vela and Jose Domingo Perez, as well as Brazilian State Attorney Orlando Martello —who is in charge of the interrogation— were also present at the site.
Collaboration agreement
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.
This deal is 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).
Former presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori —currently under preventive detention— also allegedly received money from Odebrecht for her 2011 campaign.
Odebrecht will pay S/610 million (around US$182 million) —plus interests that may arise— in civil reparations to the Peruvian State over a period of 15 years as part of this agreement.
