Codelco’s Legal Action Against Former Judge Vivanco Alleges Bribery and Money Laundering in ‘Bielorussian Doll’ Case

Original article: Cohecho agravado, soborno y lavado de activos: Justicia declara admisible querella de Codelco contra exjueza Vivanco y demás involucrados en trama «Muñeca Bielorrusa»

In the context of the so-called «Bielorussian Doll» case, the Seventh Court of Guarantee in Santiago has accepted the criminal complaint filed by Codelco against former Supreme Court Judge Ángela Vivanco and other individuals, who are accused of «aggravated bribery, bribery, and money laundering.»

Specifically, the criminal complaint targets former Supreme Court Minister Ángela Francisca Vivanco Martínez and Víctor Gonzalo Migueles Oteiza as the perpetrators of aggravated bribery and money laundering; attorneys Carlos Eduardo Lagos Herrera and Mario Andrés Vargas Cociña for bribery and money laundering; as well as Sergio Rodrigo Yáber Lozano, the Property Registrar of Puente Alto; Yamil Abraham Anton Najle Alee, the Property Registrar of Chillán; and Harold Pizarro Iturrieta, the owner of a currency exchange, for culpable money laundering.

«The action is based on the presentation of compelling evidence by the Public Prosecutor’s Office during the formalization of lawyers Vargas and Lagos and accountant Migueles Oteiza. The prosecutor’s account in that hearing confirmed Codelco’s suspicions from the outset regarding the irregular handling of its demand against the Belaz Movitec Consortium (CBM),» stated Codelco in a press release.

The national copper producer warned that these irregularities resulted in judgments that forced it to pay over $17 billion to CBM.

«The complaint describes the events as a ‘pattern of behavior,’ in which former Supreme Court Minister Ángela Vivanco allegedly intervened repeatedly to expedite decisions and favor CBM’s interests,» reads Codelco’s statement.

Furthermore, it was highlighted that the former minister «made efforts for the chamber to be aware of the injunction and the substance of the appeal (…) without the President of the Supreme Court having issued the respective ruling,» and even ordered «the drafting of a resolution attempting to validate the consideration of the substance of the matter without the prior decree mandating to report it.»

For the state-owned enterprise, these actions by former minister Vivanco constitute «violations of her duties in exchange for economic benefits provided to her and/or her partner,» according to evidence presented during formalization. Read the full statement here.

We will keep you updated.