The Peruvian Government has deposed ad hoc attorney to the Odebrecht graft case Katherine Ampuero after Justice and Human Rights Minister Maria Soledad Perez Tello publicly withdrew her confidence in the lawyer on Wednesday night.
Perez Tello explained the measure owes to Ampuero's stance on
Olmos Irrigation Project (northern Lambayeque region), in which the Brazilian conglomerate still has a stake.
This allows the
corruption-tainted company to continue operating in the country regardless of legal measures —such as emergency decree 003— banning companies convicted of corruption from operating in Peru, she explained.
"I can no longer trust her," the government official acknowledged.
Consulted on the matter again on Thursday morning, the Justice Minister indicated Ampuero's failure to enforce the said decree resulted in economic loss to the State.
"Confidence in Ms. Ampuero was withdrawn because she refused to enforce the rule, emergency decree 003," Perez Tello reiterated.
"And, far from doing so, she presented an injunction [against Olmos' sale] that forces the Peruvian State to allow a corrupt company [Odebrecht] —that has neither money nor credit access— to stay for an additional year."
In addition, Perez Tello said Ampuero ought to have guaranteed the collection of damages payable to the State.
Thus, the Justice head ruled out political interference in the affair.
"Here [in Peru], decisions that are made into a rule —and which constitute State policy— are to be complied with. There is no interference here, and attorneys' autonomy is guaranteed," she pointed out.
The Minister also clarified Ampuero's dismissal did not compromise the position of State Legal Defense Council Chair
Julia Principe, who resigned following the announcement of the attorney's removal.
The cabinet member's decision was supported by President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski this morning.