CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Former President Carlos Andres Perez turned himself in to authorities Wednesday and was placed under house arrest on charges of illegal enrichment.
The controversial two-time president, who was impeached in 1993, was charged Tuesday with depositing illicit funds in several U.S. bank accounts. Judges did not identify the amount or source of the money.
By law, he must remain under house arrest until the case is decided. Perez, 74, avoided jail because of his age.
Authorities also indicted Perez’s mistress and former personal secretary, Cecilia Matos, who lives in New York City. It was not clear whether Venezuelan officials would request her extradition.
According to the indictment, Perez and Matos accumulated funds that far exceeded their earnings as public officials. Judges who announced the charges said the money was deposited in five accounts — one with Citibank, the others with Republic National Bank of New York.
The indictment won’t stop Perez’s bid for a Senate seat in December elections, unless he is convicted before then. Perez says he plans to keep campaigning by granting interviews to reporters at his home.
Perez was impeached in 1993 for misuse of $17 million in public funds, and served 28 months in jail and under house arrest. He was freed in September 1996.