CD presidential hopeful corruption probe

THE CD PARTY  presidential candidate in the 2014  election is the latest high profile figure from the previous administration  to become embroiled in the Odebrecht corruption  scandal.

And individuals, ordered to inquire Jose Domingo Mimito Arias has been called in for questioning  by the  Special Anti-Corruption Office investigating Odebrecht’s payment of bribes to officials

The diligence will take place on  Thursday June 1.

Judicial sources told La Prensa  that the prosecution also ordered investigation of  Brazilian publicist Joao

Santana and his wife Monica Maura.

Maura confessed to Brazilian prosecutors that the total value of the CD presidential campaign was negotiated at $ 21 million. Of that amount, Odebrecht would pay $16 million.

Moura also said that $4.5 million was paid by the CD. The first $500 000  was given  to Moura in the Palace of the Herons  in a briefcase  by then President Ricardo Martinelli.( In another investigation, a Martinelli associate  linked to another corruption investigation,, described delivering  suitcases of cash to Martinelli at the presidential palace.)

The remaining $ 4 million would be paid through Domingo contracts signed by Rómulo Roux and Mario Miller, CD general secretary and deputy secretary respectively.

Arias was hand picked by Martinelli, who founded and led the CD. Martinelli’s wife Marta was the vice presidential running mate.

After Arias failed to win, he was castigated by Martinelli  for being a “weak candidate.”