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Congress to investigate suspect checks
made out by the Venezuelan Army
report © by VHeadline.com News Editor Patrick J. O'Donoghue
VHeadline.com: Wednesday, November 17, 1999 -- Venezuela's "rump" parliament ... which will cease its functions on December 15 with the referendum to approve the new Constitution ... has appointed a special committee to investigate bank deposits worth more than 1 billion bolivares ($1.5 million) made out to businessmen and a domestic worker by the Venezuelan Army finance department.
 Former Movement for Socialism (MAS) Congressman, Manuel Esculpi says 10 checks worth a total 1.3 billion ($2 million) were made out to the Casadero company, Aldro Investments, Diana Auxiliadora Perez, Petra Barbaresco (a domestic worker), Luis Ojeda, Tania Medina, Enrique Ulloa and Carlos Tariba.
The case dates from August 1997 when a Banco Union employee sent his audit management office the case of Petra Barbaresco, who opened an account with a check for 130 million ($200,000). She claimed the money was owed to her for meals and other services rendered at (Caracas) Fuerte Tiuna army barracks and authorized by the Army Commander. On July 31, Freddy Rojas withdrew 8 million ($12,307) from Babaresco's account ... however, the bank learned that the woman no longer worked at the army barracks.
Checks signed out to Diana Auxiliadora Perez in 1997 have also raised suspicion because of the amount of deposits and withdrawals. Banco Union's Prevention of Legitimizing Capitals Unit suspected money-laundering activities. Perez deposited 4 checks of 28 million each ($43,076) on the same day (August 11, 1997). A Banesco report (October 7, 1997) raised suspicions against Perez and Jorge Rolando Chullmir involving possible investments in an Isla de Margarita casino and lottery agencies.
Banco Industrial de Venezuela (BIN) issued a report citing BIV bank employee, Martin Torres Perez (Diana Perez' brother) for undertaking a $26,500 transaction which was way above his means ... the employee stated that his sister had loaned him 24 million bolivares ($36,9923), with which he bought a $40,000 property in La Guaira. | 
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