The Odebrecht case advances thanks to confessions

Another ‘regretful’ person. The Odebrecht case in Ecuador adds another person involved willing to cooperate with information in exchange for benefits in the trial: José Terán.

The defendant, an attorney who worked for the Brazilian construction company, opted for the abbreviated procedure. This mechanism is contemplated in the Criminal Code for offenses punishable by up to 10 years. The illicit association, the offense of which he is accused, is punished with up to five years.

Terán is the third one to accept cooperation with justice. Mauricio Endara and Kepler Verduga, also involved in the corruption plot, expressed their willingness to adhere to effective collaboration. And before leaving the case, lawyer Ivonne Núñez, who defended Ricardo Rivera, uncle of Vice President Jorge Glas, also spoke of cooperation.

The Odebrecht case came to light on December 21, 2016. The US Department of Justice revealed that officials from 12 countries received bribes. In Ecuador, $ 33.5 million would have been paid. The Prosecutor´s office investigates six people for the alleged crime of illicit association. (I)