Peru’s Public Prosecutor’s Office announced it opened an investigation against former Health Minister Jorge López Peña, who was fired on October 23 following a newspaper report indicating possible acts of corruption by the official.
The National Prosecutor’s Office ordered the opening of a preliminary investigation for 60 days against Jorge López Peña, in the capacity of Minister of Health, as the suspected author of the crime of illegal enrichment to the detriment of the state. The office announced on the social network Twitter.
On October 23, local TV program Punto Final reported that López Peña had ordered his portfolio workers to deposit money into the account of his daughter’s mother, which was used to buy an apartment near the ministry.
That same day, the President, Pedro Castillo, removed his Minister of Health from his post and published on Twitter:
“Given the facts spread in the media that would involve the current Minister of Health and would show absolute transparency in my government, I have decided to end the function. I reiterate my commitment to continue working for the country”.
López Peña, surgeon-radiologist, had assumed the office of minister in April of this year; he was the third Secretary of State of that portfolio appointed by Castillo.
With information from Sputnik
