Colombia-Samper-Check
8-30-1995
^By ANDREW SELSKY=
^Associated Press Writer=
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) _ A $12,000 campaign check, reportedly endorsed by President Ernesto Samper but never reported, threatens to draw the president further into a rapidly expanding scandal involving millions of dollars and the world's largest cocaine ring.
A newspaper reported Wednesday that Samper endorsed the check himself. If true, it would be the first evidence linking Samper directly to allegations that he won the 1994 elections by violating campaign laws.
The newspaper, El Tiempo, made no allegation that the check came from drug smugglers. But Colombia's top prosecutor was investigating whether the Cali Cartel was involved, a source in his office said.
Even if the check is shown to come from another source but was still not reported as required by law, the evidence would worsen Samper's already precarious standing.
Opposition politicians have been calling for his resignation after a former top aide accused him of complicity in soliciting at least $6.1 million from the Cali drug cartel.
His campaign manager is under arrest for alleged illegal enrichment and falsifying documents, and his campaign treasurer is in prison for obtaining drug money.
Samper has denied knowledge of any illegal contributions or any drug money entering his campaign.
Prosecutor General Alfonso Valdivieso is investigating whether the check links Samper to a conspiracy to violate election laws, a top source in Valdivieso's office told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Presidential spokesman Luis Alberto Acuna confirmed the campaign was being investigated for failing to report contributions, but said the investigation had nothing to do with allegations that it accepted drug money.
Acuna said he could not comment further because the matter was under investigation.
El Tiempo said it could not determine who had written the $12,000 check, as well as six others totaling $275,000 that it said also entered the campaign illegally.
The newspaper printed a copy of the check, dated May 27, 1994, and made out to Samper for 10 million pesos. El Tiempo said it was endorsed by Samper but did not show the signature. The signature of the person who wrote the check is illegible and there is no indication of whose account it was drawn on.
Roberto Prieto, manager of a company that handled Samper's campaign advertising, said he received the seven endorsed checks from Santiago Medina, Samper's now-imprisoned campaign treasurer, to pay a campaign debt.
Valdivieso, Colombia's top prosecutor, questioned Prieto on Tuesday and will examine bank records to see whose accounts the checks came from, the source in the prosecutor's office said.
Any evidence indicating Samper was involved in a crime would be turned over to a congressional commission investigating the president, the source said.
^By ANDREW SELSKY=
^Associated Press Writer=
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) _ A $12,000 campaign check, reportedly endorsed by President Ernesto Samper but never reported, threatens to draw the president further into a rapidly expanding scandal involving millions of dollars and the world's largest cocaine ring.
A newspaper reported Wednesday that Samper endorsed the check himself. If true, it would be the first evidence linking Samper directly to allegations that he won the 1994 elections by violating campaign laws.
The newspaper, El Tiempo, made no allegation that the check came from drug smugglers. But Colombia's top prosecutor was investigating whether the Cali Cartel was involved, a source in his office said.
Even if the check is shown to come from another source but was still not reported as required by law, the evidence would worsen Samper's already precarious standing.
Opposition politicians have been calling for his resignation after a former top aide accused him of complicity in soliciting at least $6.1 million from the Cali drug cartel.
His campaign manager is under arrest for alleged illegal enrichment and falsifying documents, and his campaign treasurer is in prison for obtaining drug money.
Samper has denied knowledge of any illegal contributions or any drug money entering his campaign.
Prosecutor General Alfonso Valdivieso is investigating whether the check links Samper to a conspiracy to violate election laws, a top source in Valdivieso's office told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Presidential spokesman Luis Alberto Acuna confirmed the campaign was being investigated for failing to report contributions, but said the investigation had nothing to do with allegations that it accepted drug money.
Acuna said he could not comment further because the matter was under investigation.
El Tiempo said it could not determine who had written the $12,000 check, as well as six others totaling $275,000 that it said also entered the campaign illegally.
The newspaper printed a copy of the check, dated May 27, 1994, and made out to Samper for 10 million pesos. El Tiempo said it was endorsed by Samper but did not show the signature. The signature of the person who wrote the check is illegible and there is no indication of whose account it was drawn on.
Roberto Prieto, manager of a company that handled Samper's campaign advertising, said he received the seven endorsed checks from Santiago Medina, Samper's now-imprisoned campaign treasurer, to pay a campaign debt.
Valdivieso, Colombia's top prosecutor, questioned Prieto on Tuesday and will examine bank records to see whose accounts the checks came from, the source in the prosecutor's office said.
Any evidence indicating Samper was involved in a crime would be turned over to a congressional commission investigating the president, the source said.
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