Prosecutors announced the death of José Miguel Castro, a key witness in the corruption trial against former Lima mayor Susana Villarán. Castro had been under house arrest, and his unexpected demise threatens to impact the impending trial, where Villarán faces serious bribery allegations linked to Brazilian construction companies.
Key Witness in Lima Corruption Case Found Dead Ahead of Trial
Key Witness in Lima Corruption Case Found Dead Ahead of Trial
José Miguel Castro's death raises concerns in ongoing investigation into former mayor Susana Villarán's alleged bribery scandal.
A key witness in the corruption case regarding former Lima mayor Susana Villarán has been found dead at his residence, according to Peruvian prosecutors. The revelation comes just under three months before the trial is set to commence. José Miguel Castro, who was serving under house arrest, was a municipality official during Villarán's tenure from 2011 to 2014, and he was a co-defendant in the case against her. Villarán is accused of accepting $10 million in bribes from Brazilian construction firms, which she has partially admitted to but claims were not bribes.
In the investigation, Castro was cooperating with prosecutors, adding crucial details to the unfolding narrative. "He was the second most important person behind Ms. Villarán," stated prosecutor José Domingo Pérez during an interview on Canal N. "We were expecting his valuable contribution," he lamented.
The former mayor, now 75, faces a litany of serious charges including collusion, money laundering, and the establishment of a criminal organization, receiving substantial sums from companies such as Odebrecht, currently known as Novonor, and OAS. Castro was reportedly the alleged second-in-command within the purported criminal organization.
The upcoming trial, scheduled to begin on September 23, controls considerable public and media scrutiny, especially as Villarán is one among many Peruvian politicians implicated in the extensive Odebrecht scandal. The Brazilian construction giant acknowledged in 2016 to have engaged in widespread bribery throughout Latin America and Africa for the acquisition of construction contracts.
Several former Peruvian presidents have wound up embroiled in this ongoing scandal, including Ollanta Humala, who was sentenced to 15 years this year, and Alejandro Toledo, who faces over 20 years. In a tragic turn, Alan Garcia took his own life in 2019 as law enforcement approached for his arrest. Meanwhile, an investigation into another ex-president, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, is still active, with him vehemently denying any wrongdoing.
