Peru Receives $686,000 in Forfeited Assets Linked to Corruption and Bribery of Former President Toledo

The US Department of Justice has announced that it will be returning approximately $686,000 in forfeited criminal proceeds to the Republic of Peru, linked to the corruption and bribery of former Peruvian President Alejandro Celestino Toledo Manrique by Brazilian construction conglomerate Odebrecht. The assets were seized as part of a civil forfeiture action filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

International Cooperation in Addressing Corruption Abroad

“This case is an important example of the international cooperation necessary to address corruption abroad where illicit proceeds are brought to the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.

The Case Against Toledo and Odebrecht

According to the US government, Toledo solicited millions in bribery payments from Odebrecht while he was in public office, and used some of these funds to purchase real estate in Maryland. The forfeited assets represent the proceeds from the sale of this property, which were further laundered through a trust and bank account controlled by Toledo.

Investigation and Seizure

The FBI investigated the cases leading to the US forfeiture of the assets, and served as the seizing agency. Trial Attorney Barbara Levy of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant US Attorney Laura Mantell for the Eastern District of New York’s Civil Division handled the civil forfeiture cases. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided assistance with the cases.

Peruvian Government Assistance

The Peruvian government provided extensive assistance to the US in these cases, including documentary evidence that helped seize assets located in the United States.

Importance of Civil Forfeiture

“Civil forfeiture serves a critical role in depriving criminals of their ill-gotten gains, regardless of their status, and despite their efforts to conceal the proceeds of their offenses committed abroad,” said US Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York.

Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative

The Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative is led by a team of dedicated prosecutors in the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, in partnership with federal law enforcement agencies, to forfeit the proceeds of foreign official corruption through criminal and civil forfeiture. If you have information about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located in or laundered through the United States, please contact: