Peru ex-President Toledo jailed for 20 years over Odebrecht bribes
Toledo sentenced for taking $35M in bribes from Odebrecht
Peruvian ex-President Alejandro Toledo received a 20-year and six-month prison sentence for accepting bribes from Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht. The conviction, handed down on Monday, is Peru’s first major verdict related to the widespread Lava Jato corruption scandal. Toledo, a 78-year-old Stanford-educated economist, led the country from 2001 to 2006. Prosecutors proved he accepted $35 million in bribes from Odebrecht to secure a contract for a road connecting Peru’s southern coast to an Amazonian region in western Brazil.
Throughout the year-long trial, Toledo denied charges of money laundering and collusion. Odebrecht, now called Novonor, admitted in 2016 to bribing officials in twelve countries to obtain public works contracts, placing it at the heart of Latin America’s biggest graft scandal. Last week, Toledo requested to serve his sentence at home due to his ongoing battle with cancer, pleading, “Please let me heal or die at home.”
The sentencing occurred in a small Lima prison where Toledo has been held since the previous year. Former President Pedro Castillo is also detained there, facing rebellion charges after attempting to dissolve Congress in 2022. Additionally, ex-presidents Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and Ollanta Humala are under investigation in connection with the Odebrecht scandal.
Peru ex-president Alejandro Toledo jailed for 20 years over involvement in Car Wash scandal
Former leader convicted of taking $35m in bribes from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht pic.twitter.com/xlzZBMJ3Rj
— Jasim Uddin Zoha 🇧🇩 (@jasimuddinzoha) October 22, 2024
Toledo, who once shined shoes as a child, was arrested in the United States in 2019 following Peru’s extradition request. Prosecutors used testimonies from ex-Odebrecht executive Jorge Barata and Toledo’s former associate Josef Maiman, who confirmed the bribery. Although Toledo signed the contract for the road construction, the project continued through the next two administrations.
What Other Media Are Saying
- DW reports Peruvian ex-president Alejandro Toledo sentenced to over 20 years for accepting millions in bribes from Odebrecht, highlighting years of corruption and legal battles.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why was Alejandro Toledo sentenced to prison?
Toledo accepted $35 million in bribes from Odebrecht.
How long is Alejandro Toledo’s prison sentence?
Toledo received a 20-year and six-month prison sentence.
What is the Lava Jato scandal?
Lava Jato is a major corruption scandal involving Odebrecht bribing officials in multiple countries.
Did Toledo admit to the bribery charges?
No, Toledo denied charges of money laundering and collusion.
Where is Alejandro Toledo currently imprisoned?
Toledo is held in a small Lima prison.
