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Bolivia – Cash for gaming law scandal hits Bolivia
By Phil - 11 April 2017
The former girlfriend of ex President Evo Morales has been accused of using her influence in return for the granting of gaming licences and offering to change Bolivia’s gaming laws.
Gabriela Zapata, faces charges of helping secure US$500m in government contracts for the Chinese engineering firm which employed her and was arrested for alleged influence-peddling, illicit enrichment and money-laundering in February.
Three people involved in gaming in Santa Cruz were amongst the victims of Gabriela Zapata’s scam according to the charges brought against her during her trail which began last month as she and a number of others face a series of charges that include criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
According to the Public Prosecutor’s investigation, the commercial ex-agent of the Chinese company CAMC, together with lawyer Sigfredo Antelo and Wálter Zuleta, asked for money in exchange for assurances that they would help change a gaming law that was supposedly in the works. Three people involved in the gaming industry in Santa Cruz were amongst the victims of Gabriela Zapata’s scam.
The alleged victims appeared before the First Court of Anti-Corruption last week as Zapata and others stand trial. Jovsep Assef Gonzales, stated to the Public Prosecutor’s office that he gave US$50,000 to Zapata in order to process a law that would allow him to resume gaming activities in Santa Cruz. He said that when he realised that it was a scam he tried to ask for the money back, but only received US$30,000. In March Gonzales said that Zapata had asked for US400,000 in return for legalising casinos in the country.
Meanwhile Fernando Ramos, said that he had been contacted by Sigfredo Antelo, who told him that he knew a woman of power and influence with the government and that they could help shape a new gaming law which was currently being developed. He said that he handed over US$10,000. Javier Lozada Guzmán, who said that he owned the Flamingo gaming house said that Antelo, Zuleta and Zapata asked for 70 per cent share of his business to share amongst those developing the new bill. However he refused.
Bolivia President Evo Morales lost his fourth term bid in February after he lost a referendum which would have allowed him to stand for a fourth term in office. The loss was blamed partly on the scandal revolving around Zapata, who according to the charges brought against her profited from the Chinese companies who hired her to secure state contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
