Former Congressman German Olano said that he will fully comply with the Supreme Court during investigations into the Bogota corruption scandal that involved the fraudulent awarding of public works contracts in the capital city.
“I will comply with the obligation of every citizen to respond before the authorities,” stated the ex-congressman, adding that he is “answering the questions that the judges ask me,” La F.m. reported.
Olano was detained upon his return to Colombia from Miami, after an arrest warrant prompted him to hand himself into authorities. The ex-congressman completed more than eight hours of questioning on Tuesday, after which he claimed to have offered information to the authorities that he hopes will help unravel the scandal.
The politician nevertheless opted not to divulge whether he plans to plead guilty or not guilty to the corruption charges levelled against him, saying simply that his attitude has always been directed towards contributing to the search for truth.
Olano, whose questioning continues today, has been identified by authorities as the man heard on the incriminating tape recorded by Miguel Nule, of the disgraced Nule Group construction firm. In the recording, he is heard discussing the fraudulent awarding of public works contracts and mentions both Moreno brothers in connection with commission payments.
Several other political officials face sanctions for involvement in the scandal. Mayor Samuel Moreno was suspended from office for three months on Tuesday by the Inspector General Alejandro Ordoñez, while his brother, ex-Senator Ivan Moreno, was arrested on Thursday 28 April.
Former Bogota comptroller Miguel Angel Moralesrussi is the most high-profile Bogota official to have already received a prison sentence.
