Peru prosecutors target former mayor and ex‑president in separate corruption investigations

Two candidates for the provincial mayoral race in Huarmey, Ancash, including former mayor Miguel Sotelo Llacas and Gerson Argüelles Neira, have been criminally charged with offenses such as falsification of public documents, fraud and illicit land‑title issuance. The case concerns a disputed urban parcel owned by Victor Farromeque Toledo, with prosecutors alleging that the title was granted in an unusually short two‑month period through collusion with former municipal officials. The investigation is being led by prosecutor Patricia Villar Castro.

In a separate proceeding, Lima’s Special Court for Extinction of Domain ordered the seizure and transfer to the State of four properties and a bank account linked to former president Alejandro Toledo, his wife Eliane Karp and mother‑in‑law Eva Rose Fernenbug. Authorities say the assets, worth roughly US$5.1 million and US$42 thousand, were purchased with proceeds from crimes against public administration, including collusion, influence‑peddling and money‑laundering. The properties will be registered in the State’s name and managed by the National Asset Seizure Program.

Both actions are part of a broader anti‑corruption effort targeting high‑profile political figures in Peru.