Corruption Scandals Rock Bolivia: Two Companies Accused of Wrongdoing in Lava Jato Investigations
Bolivia is currently reeling from a series of corruption scandals involving two companies, YPFB and Bolivian Soccer Federation (BSF), which have been accused of wrongdoing in the ongoing Lava Jato investigations.
YPFB Alleged Corruption
According to a claim filed by Public Prosecutor Romero, YPFB allegedly caused economic damage to the state amounting to USD 2.2 million through dereliction of duty and anti-economic conduct. However, the National Public Prosecutor’s Office rejected the claim due to insufficient evidence.
Extortion Allegations Against Judge
A private citizen has accused the Fifth Criminal Instruction Judge of El Alto of extortion, claiming that the judge requested a payment of USD 10,000 to dismiss a criminal case against her. The affected citizen presented a recording of over 50 minutes showing the judge coordinating with a Prosecutor’s Office official to extort her in exchange for issuing a favorable resolution.
Money Laundering Allegations Against Congressional Representative
In another high-profile case, a congressional representative has been charged with money laundering after allegedly making transfers worth USD 51 million to four countries between 2018 and August 2021. The representative claimed that the funds came from an old real estate business.
Bribery Scandal at Ministry of Environment and Water
The Ministry of Environment and Water is also embroiled in a bribery scandal involving alleged irregularities in the awarding of works. Following accusations, the Minister resigned, and several officials are currently detained on charges of illicit enrichment and money laundering.
BSF Corruption Network Allegations
Finally, the Bolivian Soccer Federation (BSF) has filed a criminal claim against officials, referees, and players alleging a corruption network that manipulated match results. The BSF suspended several matches due to suspicions of rigging, but an investigation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office is ongoing.
Outlook for 2024
The public sector is expected to continue implementing its Plurinational Policy Against Corruption, which aims to:
- Develop an interoperable Risk Management System
- Include anti-corruption clauses in public contracts
The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) will also regulate new sectors subject to anti-money laundering dispositions.
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