Peruvian President Pedro Castillo fired Health Minister Jorge López minutes later a report came out accusing him of using six of his employees to make dubious deposits of thousands of soles to buy an apartment.
“Due to the facts spread by the media involving the current Minister of Health and to demonstrate absolute transparency, I have decided to remove him from office. I repeat my commitment to the country,” the president wrote on Twitter on October 23.
That day, The “Last point” program. showed that six workers from the office of Mr. López were encouraged to make bank deposits into the account of Derby Apaza Meza, the minister’s ex-girlfriend and mother of his children. In total, 12 transactions were allegedly made for a total of 98,400 soles (about US$25,000).
Also, employees were instructed to deposit the money in banks in different districts.
One of the minister’s advisors, Juan Carlos Delgado, and the minister’s assistant, Dayse Gamarra, were identified as participants in the scheme.
A week ago, on September 23, Luis Quito, a doctor and businessman who owns several medical centers in Lima, deposited USD 70,000 in an account that Mrs. Apaza had opened the day before.
Using these bank deposits, the minister’s former partner bought an apartment for 412,000 soles (about 103,000 USD).
A day after the accusation against Mr. Lopez, the Public Ministry opened an investigation against him, as his movements could constitute the criminal offense of money laundering.
On October 25, a group of prosecutors SEQUESTRATED the apartment of the minister’s ex-girlfriend to start the proceedings.
Former Minister of Health Oscar Ugarte he told Peru21 newspaper on October 24 that, “clearly, the case is scandalous and unfortunate” and that “the Ministry of Health does not deserve it”.
“I have never seen a Minister of Health hand over money, of unknown origin, for officials to deposit thousands of soles in an account. Doctor López has a lot to explain to the Public Ministry,” he added.
Mr. López spent less than seven months as Minister of Health. He was appointed to the cabinet on April 7, replacing Hernán Condor, who days earlier was impeached by Congress for several charges against him.
Mr. López’s replacement will become the 73rd minister appointed by Mr. Castillo, almost a year and three months after taking office, a record in Peru.
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