Peruvian Judge May File Extradition Warrant For Rennert (La Oroya Mass Lead Poisoning Case)
Lima, Peru – American Ira Rennert, known for his lavish lifestyle and operating companies that have polluted whole communities, may soon face an international arrest warrant followed by extradition to Peru if a judge has her way.
Rennert faces charges relating to alleged financial and business irregularities involving the La Oroya lead smelter, a notorious facility accused of poisoning thousands of children and adults living near the infamous complex. The facility is one of the most contaminated industrial sites on earth where local children were exposed to high levels of lead for decades.
Rennert’s lawyers have tried to prevent his return to Peru to face official questioning in his role in managing the La Oroya metallurgical complex. The Peruvian government claims Rennert’s company, the majority shareholder of Doe Run Peru (DRP), made billions of dollars in profits off of La Oroya and never kept agreements to clean-up the huge site.
Peruvian Judge Martha Flores has compelled Rennert to answer charges that include filing false claims and defrauding the Peruvian government as well as undermining business confidence in Peru. Rennert has refused to come to Peru to appear before Judge Flores to answer her questions about the company. Rennert did offer to answer Judge Flores’ questions in New York. Flores rejected Rennert’s request telling the industrialist’s lawyers that Peruvian law does not allow such a request. According to sources in the 39th Criminal Court of Lima, Rennert is required by Peruvian law to appear in person to answer the questions of the judicial authority. Otherwise, Judge Flores is legally entitled to ask for an international arrest warrant and begin the process of Rennert’s extradition to Peru.
EDIT
http://www.dcbureau.org/201211017974/natural-resources-news-service/prominent-american-businessman-ira-rennert-faces-extradition-to-peru.html
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