Peru Congressman Jorge Del Castillo said he would not back away from an investigation over allegations that he was involved in an oil concession kickback scandal dating back to 2008, state news agency Andina reported.
“I don’t have any problem being submitted to a serious and impartial investigation,” Del Castillo said. “I am not hiding [anything]. I’ve always endured it and journalists know that they can pick up their phone because I will always answer them. I am open to an impartial investigation, but not a political guillotine from my enemies.”
Giselle Giannotti, a former employee of the company Business Track, who is accused of phone tapping, has said she had recordings implicating Del Castillo in the scandal.
Giannotti said the recordings also implicated Presidential Secretary Luis Nava and former housing minister, Hernan Garrido Lecca.
Wire taping by Business Track revealed alleged backroom dealings between the president of Petroperu and private entrepreneurs to grant oil exploration concessions. The recordings were obtained by journalists and broadcast in October 2008.
Del Castillo, a stalwart of President Alan García’s Aprista party, was forced to resign as Garcia’s prime minister following the revelations of the scandal.
Meanwhile, prominent members of García’s government, including the former secretary general of APRA Mauricio Mulder, have called on Del Castillo to further explain his actions with regards to Giannotti’s accusations.
