Dominican Senator breaks silence as Peru campaign scandal widens

Santo Domingo.- Senator Felix Bautista on Wednesday broke several months of silence to deny that he or his construction companies contributed money to the presidential campaign of Alejandro Toledo of Peru, as some media from the South American country report.

If proven, the alleged contributions could lead to criminal charges against the lawmaker, since he was the head of the Dominican Governments State Works Supervisory Office (OISOE) during the previous administration headed by his political mentor, Leonel Fernandez.

"I deny having provided money through my companies to the presidential campaign of Alejandro Toledo in Peru," Bautista said on Twitter: @ Senador SanJuan.

The San Juan de la Maguana province senator said he coincided with Toledo in a meeting, where a group of developers made contributions to his campaign. "The contributions of RD companies according to Peru Possible Party, were received in checks, and declared to the Electoral Office in Peru."

But Peru reports contradicted the senator’s argument, with copies of the checks presented by the media.

Bautista added that Peru has no legal impediment banning companies from making contributions to candidates. "The contributions made by check, indicate transparency and legality of contributions."