A scandal is unfolding in Peru’s Congress amid public discontent with the legislature, which recently hit a record-low approval rating of 8%. The allegations center around Jorge Torres, former head of Congress’s Legal and Constitutional Office, suspected of being one of the leaders of an alleged prostitution ring. Torres is accused of sexual exploitation of unidentified women and has been linked to the murder of Andrea Vidal, a former parliamentary advisor.
The Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Human Trafficking has launched a preliminary investigation into Torres, who is also a member of the Alliance for Progress party and a trusted ally of César Acuña. Testimony from a former congressional employee suggests that Torres hired inexperienced women to fill several positions, allegedly for sexual purposes. Vidal was reportedly responsible for recruiting women to work as advisors or secretaries, and her dismissal three months prior to her murder may have been linked to her knowledge of incriminating information about Torres.
In addition to the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office investigation, Congress’s Oversight Committee is conducting inquiries, led by Congressman Juan Burgos. The committee has requested security camera footage from the Legislative Palace and is reviewing social media profiles of four women who may be implicated in the allegations. A former congressman, Luis Valdés, has also accused Torres of sexual assault during his campaign in 2020.
The Public Ministry and Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations have yet to issue official statements on the formalization of an investigation into the alleged prostitution ring.
Source: https://perureports.com/peru-investigates-alleged-prostitution-ring-in-congress-following-officials-murder/10521