The death of José Miguel Castro, a pivotal figure in the corruption case against former Lima mayor Susana Villarán, has sent shockwaves through Peru's ongoing legal saga tied to the controversial Odebrecht scandal. Castro was found dead under house arrest, less than three months before the court proceedings were set to commence. As a former municipal official during Villarán's tenure from 2011 to 2014, Castro had been implicated in the same charges as Villarán, with allegations centering around the acceptance of $10 million in bribes from Brazilian construction giants. Protests from Villarán, who claims the funds were not bribes, raised questions on the legitimacy of the practice within Peru’s political framework.
Key Witness in Lima Mayor's Corruption Case Found Dead Ahead of Trial
Key Witness in Lima Mayor's Corruption Case Found Dead Ahead of Trial
A major development surfaces in the corruption trial involving a former Lima mayor as a key witness is discovered unresponsive in his home.
Peruvian prosecutors confirmed the alarming news of Castro's demise, stating its potential impact on the trial. Prosecutor José Domingo Pérez remarked on Castro’s significance in the investigation, underscoring the prosecutors' need for his anticipated cooperation. Villarán, now 75, faces serious charges, including collusion and money laundering, having admitted to accepting funds during her campaign but denying they were illicit bribes.
The upcoming trial, slated for 23 September, forms part of broader investigations into systemic corruption involving Odebrecht, which admitted to bribing several officials across Latin America for lucrative contracts. This ongoing scandal continues to ensnare former Peruvian political figures, with several convicted and others still under scrutiny, creating a climate of uncertainty and tension as the nation grapples with its corrupt legacy.
The upcoming trial, slated for 23 September, forms part of broader investigations into systemic corruption involving Odebrecht, which admitted to bribing several officials across Latin America for lucrative contracts. This ongoing scandal continues to ensnare former Peruvian political figures, with several convicted and others still under scrutiny, creating a climate of uncertainty and tension as the nation grapples with its corrupt legacy.
