A significant figure in the corruption trial involving the former mayor of Lima, Peru, has been discovered deceased in his residence, as reported by Peruvian authorities. José Miguel Castro, who was under house arrest at the time, served as a municipal official during Susana Villarán’s tenure as mayor from 2011 to 2014.
Castro was set to stand trial alongside Villarán, who is facing allegations of accepting bribes totaling $10 million from Brazilian construction giants. Although Villarán admitted to receiving funding from these entities in 2019, she strongly contended that these were not bribes. Castro had been assisting prosecutors with the investigation, and the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.
Prosecutor José Domingo Pérez emphasized Castro’s importance in the case, stating he was the second-most significant figure associated with Villarán. The trial is slated to commence on September 23, with Villarán facing serious charges including collusion and money laundering.
This case is part of a broader corruption scandal involving several Peruvian politicians and the Brazilian firm Odebrecht, which has admitted to bribery on a massive scale across Latin America. Numerous former Peruvian leaders have faced investigations, with varied consequences ranging from imprisonment to tragic outcomes.
Source: www.bbc.com
