In a shocking turn of events, José Miguel Castro, a crucial witness and municipality official during Susana Villarán's tenure as mayor from 2011 to 2014, has been discovered dead at his home. This incident comes less than three months prior to the trial set to commence on September 23. Castro was placed under house arrest and was seen as a vital collaborator in the corruption case against Villarán, who stands accused of accepting bribes totaling $10 million from Brazilian construction companies Odebrecht and OAS.
Key Witness in Lima Mayor's Corruption Case Found Dead Before Trial
Key Witness in Lima Mayor's Corruption Case Found Dead Before Trial
A key witness in a major corruption case involving former Lima mayor Susana Villarán has been found dead at his residence, raising concerns ahead of the trial.
Prosecutor José Domingo Pérez highlighted the significance of Castro's role, stating, "He was the second most important person behind Ms. Villarán." Prosecutors allege that Castro played a pivotal role in an alleged corrupt organization, which allegedly facilitated the embezzlement of extensive funds during Villarán's administration. Although Villarán acknowledged receiving financial assistance from Odebrecht and OAS for her 2013 re-election campaign, she maintained that the funds were not bribes.
The scandal has cast a shadow over multiple former Peruvian officials, with a series of investigations leading to prison sentences for several high-ranking politicians, including former president Ollanta Humala, who was sentenced to 15 years earlier this year. Former president Alejandro Toledo also received a 20-year prison sentence, while another ex-leader, Alan Garcia, tragically took his own life just before an anticipated arrest in 2019.
As the ongoing fallout from the Odebrecht scandal continues to unfold, the investigation into other prominent politicians, like Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, remains active, with Kuczynski firmly denying the allegations against him. The implications of Castro’s untimely death may have significant repercussions for the upcoming trial and the accountability of corruption in Peru’s political landscape.
This developing story will be closely monitored as new information emerges regarding Castro’s cause of death and its impact on the trial of Susana Villarán.
The scandal has cast a shadow over multiple former Peruvian officials, with a series of investigations leading to prison sentences for several high-ranking politicians, including former president Ollanta Humala, who was sentenced to 15 years earlier this year. Former president Alejandro Toledo also received a 20-year prison sentence, while another ex-leader, Alan Garcia, tragically took his own life just before an anticipated arrest in 2019.
As the ongoing fallout from the Odebrecht scandal continues to unfold, the investigation into other prominent politicians, like Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, remains active, with Kuczynski firmly denying the allegations against him. The implications of Castro’s untimely death may have significant repercussions for the upcoming trial and the accountability of corruption in Peru’s political landscape.
This developing story will be closely monitored as new information emerges regarding Castro’s cause of death and its impact on the trial of Susana Villarán.
