Peru prosecutor launches investigation of former first lady

[Judi Lynn]

Peru prosecutor launches investigation of former first lady
By CARLA SALAZAR Associated Press Writer
Article Launched: 03/13/2007 01:42:26 PM PDT


LIMA, Peru- An anticorruption prosecutor has opened an investigation of the wife of ex-President Alejandro Toledo in connection with her office's alleged misappropriation of some $245,000 in state funds while she was first lady.
Prosecutor Marlene Berru had already opened an investigation of the director of former first lady Eliane Karp's office for allegedly using the state money to buy liquor, fine clothing and dog food at Karp's request, a legal aide from the prosecutor's office told The Associated Press Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.

A report by the state comptroller's office released last week said Karp's office spent the money between October 2001 and February 2002.

Berru is also investigating an official from Toledo's office for allegedly transferring the funds to Karp's office illegally.
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Karp and Toledo currently live in California, where she teaches a class in Stanford University's anthropology department.

Karp, a Belgian native who met Toledo at Stanford when both were students there, promised to help Peru's marginalized Indian majority when she became first lady. She initially wowed highland Indian voters with her ability to speak the indigenous Quechua language.
(snip/...)

http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_5426757



President George W. Bush meets with President Alejandro Toledo of Peru,Manuel
Rodriguez Cuadros, Foreign Minister of Peru, far left, and President Toledo's
wife,Ms.Elaine Karp,during the APEC Summit at La Moneda Presidential Palace
in Santiago, Chile, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004. White House photo by Eric Draper