- Title: Peruvian investigators question ex Odebrecht executive in Brazil
- Date: 4th October 2019
- Summary: CURITIBA, PARANA, BRAZIL (OCTOBER 3, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF VEHICLE REPORTEDLY TRANSPORTING FORMER ODEBRECHT EXECUTIVE ELEUBERTO MARTORELLI ENTERING PUBLIC MINISTRY BUILDING FOR QUESTIONING VEHICLE IN CAR PARK INDIVIDUAL GETTING OUT OF CAR IN THE CARPARK GENERAL VIEW OF PROSECUTOR'S BUILDING VARIOUS OF PERUVIAN INVESTIGATORS ARRIVING AT BUILDING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SENIOR PERUVIAN PROSECUTOR, RAFAEL VELA, SAYING: "I can't be specific but that is also part of the statement, that Mr. Eleuberto Martorelli (former Odebrecht executive) has participated in several projects, for example with the construction of the San Jose de Sisa Cununbuque road, amongst others. So we have come to actually listen to the former executive as part of the (investigative) agreement. We are open to any other information that the former executive will present, and also to clarify (investigations) what we have been working on in recent days. (Reporter asking inaudible question) What is clear is that Mr. Martorelli has a different executive level of operations than that of Mr. Barata. In Mr. Elueberto Martorelli's case there is direct knowledge of the facts relating to the development of activities with the company Odebrecht and each of its productions within the construction sector. So, he (Martorelli) had a more executive level, he had more direct contact., to the extent that the information is more in keeping with his experience. In Mr. Barata's case, there has always been a degree of difficulty because there were limitations from the head of the company's operations in Peru. He (Barata) had to have operational support, and that is the value of Mr. Martorelli' statement. We expect that information on all projects will be provided at the corresponding time. (Reporter: Is this also a company statement?) Yes, it is within the company's agreement. (Reporter asking inaudible question on differences between Martorelli's statements and official company statements) I can't comment on that. He (Martorelli) is participating as part of the agreement with the company, within the obligations of an individual to make themselves available for summoning by the Public Ministry at any time. Thank you." LETTERING FOR PROSECUTOR'S BUILDING VIDEO OF MARTORELLI GETTING INTO VEHICLE AFTER QUESTIONING VEHICLE WITH MARTORELLI LEAVING BUILDING
- Embargoed: 18th October 2019 01:36
- Keywords: Odebrecht executive Curitiba Jorge Barata corruption allegations Peru Brazil
- Location: CURITIBA, PARANA, BRAZIL
- City: CURITIBA, PARANA, BRAZIL
- Country: Brazil
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice
- Reuters ID: LVA001AZJOFNR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Peruvian investigators were in the Brazilian city of Curitiba on Thursday (October 3) to question former Odebrecht executive Eleuberto Martorelli over alleged corruption links to government officials in the Andean nation.
Peruvian prosecutors are particularly interested in Martorelli's statements because of his reported direct knowledge of the construction projects taken on by Odebrecht in Peru.
Previous statements from investigators had focused on another executive Jorge Barata. Barata told prosecutors that he had given money to presidential campaigns of several politicians, including former president Alan Garcia. Garcia committed suicide in April just moments before he was due to be arrested in connection with Odebrecht corruption investigations.
Investigators have said they are looking into whether Odebrecht's unreported campaign contributions were part of money laundering and graft schemes.
Odebrecht has accepted it paid bribes in relation to six contracts in Peru, sources have reported. Two involve the construction of a road linking Brazil and Peru during the government of former President Alejandro Toledo, between 2001 and 2006, while two more relate to the construction of Lima's Metro under former President Alan Garcia (2006-2011), according to reports.
Brazilian builder Odebrecht has been at the centre of Latin America's biggest graft scandal since acknowledging in a late 2016 leniency deal that it had bribed officials in a dozen countries, including Peru.
(Production: Sebastian Rocandio, Rodrigo Fonseca) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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