Key Figures in ‘Cocteles’ Case Defend Against Money Laundering Charges in High-Profile Trial

UPDATE: 10:44 A.M.

Milagros Maravi Sumar, for whom the Prosecutor’s Office is requesting 11 years and 4 months for money laundering, believes that the necessary evidence has been presented to demonstrate her innocence. Her defense stated this morning.

Meanwhile, the defense of Raúl Maravi Sumar (11 years and 4 months) declared that his client, as a businessman dedicated to commerce, freely decided to contribute to Fuerza Popular. Months later, he received an email from the ONPE requesting proof of the deposit. “My client submitted the deposit. Where is the crime in that action?”.

“There is no greater honor than defending an innocent person,” said Maraví’s lawyer.

The hearing was adjourned until 11:00 a.m.

UPDATE: 10:20 A.M.

The defense of Luis Barboza Dávila stated that his client was a certified accountant working in the ONPE in 2018 and that following the “process” he is facing an accusation that has caused him to lose everything, including his job and family. “He currently suffers from serious health problems,” he stated.

SEE Cocteles Case: What is the legal situation of Mark Vito?

Luis Barboza Dávila is identified as a collaborator of the alleged criminal organization led by Keiko Fujimori within Fuerza Popular, accused by the Prosecutor’s Office of laundering millions of illicit contributions from the Brazilian company Odebrecht. In both the 2011 and 2016 campaigns, he worked in the verification and control area at the ONPE.

The Public Prosecutor’s investigation indicates that the then senior official of the ONPE “took a complacent attitude” regarding the arguments presented by Fuerza Popular about the irregularities committed during the 2011 presidential campaign, which faced Ollanta Humala and Keiko Fujimori.

Thus, the lawyer rejected that Barboza had committed any crime and considered that the case had a significant political burden.

Barboza has diabetes and is in Spain because his son covers his expenses.

UPDATE: 9:51 A.M.

The defense of Antonieta Gutiérrez Rosati, another individual involved in the Cocteles case, highlighted that her client is a recognized scientist who entered Fuerza Popular due to coincidences with the party.

Gutiérrez joined the party and took on the position of part-time treasurer.

The Prosecutor’s Office stated that Gutiérrez served as de facto treasurer of Fuerza 2011 and was responsible for providing false receipts to Jorge Yoshiyama Sasaki and Congressman Rolando Reátegui to record the alleged contributions.

Adriana Tarazona was the national secretary of minutes and treasurer of Fuerza 2011. She is one of the founders of the party and has been an advisor to Keiko Fujimori when she was a parliamentarian from 2006-2011.

So far, the leader of Fuerza Popular, Keiko Fujimori, has not physically participated in the hearing this Monday, 22.

The hearing was called by the Judiciary in a mixed format, allowing defendants to participate virtually.

UPDATE: 9:10 A.M.

The hearing began with a presentation on the health condition of Luis Mejía Lecca, the former legal treasurer of Fuerza 2011. The Prosecutor’s Office accuses him of committing the crimes of criminal organization, money laundering, false declaration in administrative procedure, and generic falsification and obstruction of justice. The Public Ministry requested that he be sentenced to 22 years and 8 months in prison.

After determining the condition of the accused Luis Mejía Lecca, who suffered a stroke resulting in aphasia as a sequel, his lawyer, Yeni Vilcatoma, requested that the oral trial not be initiated.

In turn, Cesar Mayta Acevedo, the defense of Mark Vito, asserted that his client has outlined in detail over 275 days the commercial operations he has conducted as a real estate agent, demonstrating that there is no evidence of money laundering. According to him, more than 100 witnesses will come to confirm that Keiko’s ex-husband has committed no crime.

Mark Vito in trial for the ‘Cocteles’ case. (Photo: Javier Zapata)

“His only crime has been being the husband of Keiko Fujimori,” said Mark Vito’s lawyer, adding that one cannot prove what does not exist.

The defense emphasized that all operations in which his client has participated are real, supported by a series of evidence such as real estate brokerage invoices, public deeds of purchase and sale of properties, and more: “Mr. Mark Vito has fulfilled his duties as a real estate agent. He has not engaged in simulated transactions.”

“Mark Vito has faced relentless and merciless punishment,” referred the defense, adding that he cannot perform his job and must dedicate himself to other things.

Additionally, they asserted that there is no such asset imbalance as claimed by the Prosecutor’s Office.

“Mark Vito is not a politician. Unfortunately, that condition of being a husband has been one of the most important reasons for the Public Ministry to include him in this money laundering complaint,” the lawyer pointed out, reiterating that his client is not part of a criminal organization.

ORIGINAL NOTE

This morning, at 9:00 a.m., the oral trial for Keiko Fujimori and more than 40 accused in the Cocteles Case.

SEE Cocteles Case: Who are the main accused alongside Keiko Fujimori?

This is the fifth hearing of the Cocteles case trial, which is being investigated by the Third National Criminal Court of Lima. On this occasion, the process will be virtual.

Last Tuesday, the last hearing took place.

Perú21 reported that what drew the most attention that day was that the defense of Mark Vito did not appear.

On Monday 15, the lawyer for Fuerza Popular, Christian Salas, announced that Jaime Villanueva, the former advisor to the ex-attorney general, Patricia Benavides, and a friend of prosecutor José Domingo Pérez, will be his witness in this case.

PROSECUTOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Prosecutor José Domingo Pérez, who is in charge of the prosecution against Keiko Fujimori and others for the Cocteles case in the trial currently taking place, is perceived by most Peruvians as not acting with strictly legal motivations, according to an Ipsos survey published today exclusively by Perú21.

40% believe he performs his duties based on legal criteria, but 53% think he does so with political, emotional motivations, or a desire to be in the spotlight. This has been what the accused and their attorneys have claimed during the hearings.

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