Peru's Ex-President Toledo Denies Taking $20M in Bribes

Corruption in 3rd world countries is rampant, and arguably, not a lot better in developed countries. 

Cleaning up corruption, at least somewhat, is necessary if 3rd world countries are ever going to

emerge into the developed world.

Former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo allegedly took $20 million in bribes from the Brazilian conglomerate Odebrecht. He denied the accusations following a raid conducted by Peru's Public Ministry on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Alejandro Toledo

By Andrew V. Pestano  

Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo denied taking bribes as part of the Odebrecht corruption scandal after prosecutors searched his home.

Investigators raided Toledo's home in Camacho on Saturday as part of a Peruvian government effort to probe the extent Odebrecht's confessed bribery scheme influenced Peru's officials and businesses.

"Special prosecutor's team continues to work for more than five hours in raiding Alejandro Toledo's house in Camacho," Peru's Public Ministry said in a statement. "The documentation found in the house of ex-President Toledo will be evaluated by the Public Ministry."

Jorge Barata, Odebrecht's former executive director who is cooperating with authorities, accused Toledo of receiving $20 million in bribes from Odebrecht for a contract to build a highway between Brazil and Peru.

Politicians in several countries are accused of accepting bribes -- either personal bribes or bribes distributed to their political party -- in exchange for lucrative government contracts for Odebrecht and Braskem, another Brazilian firm.

Toledo dismissed the accusations as an unfair political attack against him.

"I express my deep concern about the politicization over the information of the cases handled by the Public Ministry," Toledo said in a statement. "I will appear before the court every time it is mentioned again, although I do not have supporters, comrades or ex-lawyers in the fiscal and judicial function."

Odebrecht in December agreed to pay at least $2.6 billion in criminal penalties over its role in the massive corruption scandal.

Ex-Argentine Leader Kirchner Charged, $633M Frozen in Corruption Case

Corruption is just about everywhere even in developed countries. But in developing countries it seems to be more rampant. Christina, the most glamorous First Lady or President of Argentina since Eva Peron, doesn't appear to be above cheating her people for her own benefit. We can hope and pray that Christina's prosecution is a sign that the new president will not tolerate graft. He is certainly setting a dangerous precedent if he doesn't.

By Doug G. Ware, UPI

Former Argentine leader Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner inspects a military honor guard during

a ceremony on July 13, 2010. On Tuesday, a federal judge approved criminal corruption charges

against the former two-term president stemming from accusations that she unlawfully steered

dozens of government contracts to a business acquaintance. Kirchner has denied the charges

and is expected to file an appeal. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo

BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A judge on Tuesday approved criminal corruption charges against former Argentine leader Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and ordered frozen more than $630 million of her assets, pending the outcome of a federal trial.

Judge Julian Ercolini supported charges of illicit association and fraudulent administration against the ex-leader, for allegedly steering dozens of government contracts to a personal business acquaintance.

The judge outlined the charges in a 794-page resolution Tuesday, which says Kirchner conspired "to commit crimes, in order to illegally and deliberately seize funds assigned to public road works."

Kirchner, who endured multiple corruption scandals while she was in office between 2007 and 2015, has denied any wrongdoing and said the prosecution is politically-motivated. Defense attorneys said they will appeal.

In addition to upholding the criminal charges, Ercolini also ordered $633 million of Kirchner's assets to be frozen pending the outcome of the prosecution.

Charges in the case were also approved Tuesday against two former Kirchner aides, as well as Argentine construction magnate Lazaro Báez -- whose company, Austral Construcciones, was allegedly the illegal recipient of about 50 government contracts.

Báez, whose name was mentioned in multiple scandals tied to Kirchner, opened his construction business just days before she took office in 2007. Once open, prosecutors argue, the company was awarded many public works projects and consistently over-billed the government for them. The prosecutors' case covers a 12-year period that started when Kirchner was first lady of Argentina in 2003.

Kirchner left office in December 2015 following eight years of various accusations of corruption. Her late husband and predecessor, Néstor, was also targeted by scandals during his time in office.

A trial of the former leader could drag on for years, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. If convicted, Kirchner could face as many as 10 years in prison.

Ex-Argentinian Minister Says $9mn He Tried to Hide in Convent Came from Politics

Corruption by government officials is, I believe, rampant in most, if not all, 3rd world countries. I have complained many times about the incredible corruption in Nigeria, and I seriously doubt that there is a country in Africa where it does not thrive. 

That may also be true of South America. Brazil, was awarded the 2016 Summer Olympics because its economy was soaring and it appeared to be entering the industrialized world. The Olympic Games should have been a big step in that direction, but instead it has revealed utter failure for Brazil. While corruption was almost certainly not the cause of their demise, it certainly did not help - corruption to the highest levels of the government.

Now another emerging economy is revealing its corrupt underbelly to the world. 

In Canada, companies that do business internationally are punished for paying corrupt officials in 3rd world countries, but there simply is no other way of doing business with them. It's politics!

By Andrew V. Pestano  

Former Argentinian Public Works Minister Jose Lopez was arrested in June after trying to hide $9 million worth of cash and jewels in a Catholic convent. On Thursday, he said the money "belonged to politics." File photo UPI | License Photo

BUENOS AIRES, (UPI) -- Jose Lopez, ex-Argentinian public works minister under former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, said $9 million he tried to hide in a convent came from politics.

Lopez was arrested in June after nuns at a convent called police about a man throwing bags into their compound. The bags were full of cash and jewels.

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner

Buenos Aires provincial security chief Cristian Ritondo said Lopez "was caught red-handed with six bags, a suitcase and a weapon" at the time of his arrest.

Fernandez de Kirchner previously dismissed the incident as an act that could occur in all governments

"I don't want to minimize anything, but I think those are episodes that can take place for any government," she said.

Lopez has been receiving psychiatric treatment while imprisoned. He had not been questioned since his arrest as authorities were waiting for his mental health to stabilize.

"First and foremost I want to say I was looking forward to appearing before you right now. Not like the first time, when I was out of my mind," Lopez said during testimony on Thursday, documents provided by Clarin show.

Lopez, who is being investigated for "illegal enrichment," said his wife and the nuns at the convent were not involved.

"They didn't know what was in them ... My wife either. I always kept her away from my work and political work," Lopez said. "What I will say regarding that money is that it didn't belong to me, it belonged to politics. I will provide all the details when I have the necessary physical and psychological strength."