(CNN Spanish) — CNN obtained the statement offered by a protected witness to the Special Prosecutor against Impunity (FECI) in Guatemala, in which he claims to have witnessed how in July 2019 Alejandro Giammattei – current president of the country and then presidential candidate – supposedly asked in a meeting for the delivery of 20 million quetzales, the equivalent of US$2,600,000, for his electoral campaign.
According to the witness’s version, his interlocutor, the then general secretary of the Vamos party, Giorgio Bruni, would have responded affirmatively, reminding him that it was an advance paid to a construction company in the country.
As a result of this statement, CNN followed up on the names, positions and companies mentioned in the testimony, in which they appear as part of an alleged network of relationships and politics, and established that the figure mentioned is not reported to the national authority. country’s election as part of the campaign.
Code name: “Benito”
The witness affirms that during the alleged meeting in which Giammattei would be, Bruni’s phone rang. He adds that he was able to see the screen light up and the name “Benito” appear.
According to the witness’s statement, it would be José Luis Benito, then Minister of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing of the government of Jimmy Morales.
According to the witness, there was a conversation between Benito and Bruni. At the end, always according to the statement, Alejandro Giammattei asked Giorgio Bruni about the 20 million quetzales for the second round and Giorgio Brunni replied that they came from an advance paid to the Coamco company.
CNN has not been able to independently verify the veracity of the witness’s statement, but his statement is being used as advance evidence in an investigation against Benito for alleged money laundering, two high-ranking sources with access to the case confirmed to CNN. .
So far, there are no other defendants in that case.
Bruni was contacted on several occasions by CNN, but has not responded.
Galloping
Coamco is a construction company that has been listed as a contractor for the Guatemalan State since 2016, according to Guatecompras.gt, the country’s contracting and award information system.
In that and the following year, the company obtained four contracts from the central government for an amount of US$ 3 million.
Then, between 2018 and 2021, under the presidencies of Morales and Giammattei, Coamco obtained twelve contracts for US$81 million.
Guatemalan electoral law does not prohibit donations from individuals or corporations, as long as they are reported, come from lawful sources, and are within established limits.
CNN had access to the official report that the Vamos political party delivered to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, which details the expenses incurred by the Giammattei campaign. No evidence of Coamco contributions was found in this report.
Legally, Coamco appears as the property of Juan Pablo Mansilla.
CNN contacted Mansilla, who said he had nothing to comment on the matter. The company also did not respond to repeated calls from CNN.
FECI representatives told CNN that they are investigating the possible relationship between Coamco and several companies belonging to Alejandro Matheu Escamilla in the midst of an investigation for possible bribery.
Matheu Escamilla is a builder who has been related to Benito, among other things, because of his fondness for thoroughbred horses.
From 2018 to 2021, the Ministry of Communication and Construction, during the Morales and Giammattei administrations, assigned Matheu Escamilla at least 14 contracts through his companies.
But not only is it the builder that has received the most contracts, but it also took the one with the largest amount among those awarded in that period: the construction of an important road in Guatemala, the Tajumulco-Tocache village highway, for more than US$ 32,700. .000, work granted to SCM.
CNN tried to communicate with Matheu Escamilla, but he has not answered.
The award to the company Supervision, Construction and Maintenance, SCM, is signed by José Luis Benito himself.
This important work is supposed to be ready in August 2020, but by February 2022 it had not yet been completed.
In July 2021 part of the construction collapsed. Based on this fact, the Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation to determine possible irregularities.
And precisely because of another case related to the world of construction, former Minister Benito is currently facing two complaints that keep him in prison: one for alleged fraud and another for alleged money laundering.
These accusations are related to a construction work: the Chimaltenango bypass or alternative road.
The FECI accused Benito of fraud, since just five months after its inauguration, the road began to crack.
The so-called “Megawork” of the government of Jimmy Morales was budgeted at US$ 68.3 million and has suffered several landslides, floods and landslides.
Former President Morales was contacted by CNN, but said he is not offering interviews at the moment.
The second accusation is related to the discovery of several suitcases with the equivalent of some US$16 million in cash in various currencies, during the search of a house rented by the former Minister of Communication and Infrastructure.
After being a fugitive from justice for a year and a half, Benito turned himself in to the Guatemalan authorities on January 21.
He is accused of laundering money or other assets and was already charged at the first statement hearing on February 11.
Benito’s lawyer says his client pleads not guilty.
Answers
Regarding the statements made by the protected witness, both the Presidency of Guatemala and the Prosecutor’s Office have already ruled.
The representatives of the Public Ministry affirm that they cannot reveal details because it is an ongoing investigation.
The Secretary of Social Communication of President Alejandro Giammattei, Juan Luis Pantaleón, sent a reply in which he “categorically rejects any point or unfounded assumption that attempts to link the ruler with former ministers.”
The statement adds: “It is important to reiterate that President Alejandro Giammattei is not aware that he is subject to any type of investigation by the Public Ministry or any other entity of the same nature. The appointment of the ministers who have made up the Government Cabinet since the beginning of the administration has been subject to an evaluation of skills and professionalism. No former minister of the previous government has been part or has been considered at any time to form the work team of President Alejandro Giammattei.
It also clarifies that the financial management of Vamos is the responsibility of the general secretary of the party and recalls that the Public Ministry is an independent entity.