José Miguel Castro, a crucial witness and co-defendant in the corruption trial of former Lima mayor Susana Villarán, has been found dead at his home. This development comes as the trial date approaches, intensifying scrutiny over ongoing corruption investigations in Peru linked to the Odebrecht scandal.
Key Witness Found Dead in Lima Corruption Trial
Key Witness Found Dead in Lima Corruption Trial
The death of a key witness in the Susana Villarán corruption case raises concerns just weeks before the trial.
A crucial turning point in Peru's ongoing struggle against corruption has emerged as José Miguel Castro, a key witness in the corruption trial of former Lima mayor Susana Villarán, has been found dead in his home. Castro was living under house arrest at the time of his death, which occurred just weeks before the trial is set to commence on September 23. His passing raises significant concerns about the integrity of the proceedings.
Castro, who served as a municipal official during Villarán's tenure from 2011 to 2014, was expected to provide valuable testimony against the former mayor, who faces allegations of accepting $10 million in bribes from Brazilian construction firms Odebrecht, now known as Novonor, and OAS.
In a significant admission in 2019, Villarán acknowledged receiving funds from the aforementioned companies but firmly denied that they were bribes. Prosecutor José Domingo Pérez emphasized Castro's pivotal role in the case, stating, "He was the second most important person behind Ms. Villarán," highlighting the loss of a key contributor to the investigation.
Villarán, who is now 75, stands accused of serious charges, including collusion, money laundering, and forming a criminal organization associated with the receipt of millions of dollars in illicit funds from construction firms. The implications of this case are profound, as it is part of a broader scandal involving multiple Peruvian politicians linked to the notorious Odebrecht case.
Odebrecht has admitted to a history of bribing officials across Latin America and Africa in exchange for lucrative contracts, leading to various convictions, including that of former presidents. As investigations continue, concerns surrounding the judiciary's ability to uphold justice in high-profile corruption cases remain paramount in Peru.
