Peru's judiciary has extended the formal corruption investigation against real estate businesswoman Sada Goray Chong and journalist Mauricio Fernandini by 12 months, rejecting a request by prosecutors for a three-year extension in a high-profile state housing scandal.
Judge Lorena Sandoval of the Eighth National Preparatory Investigation Court set the new deadline for the prosecution to complete its pre-trial inquiries by July 15, 2027. The ruling affects several co-defendants being investigated by the Specialized Supraprovincial Corporate Prosecutor's Office for Corruption Crimes of Public Officials for alleged aggravated collusion and incompatible negotiation.
Prosecution Request and Defense Objections
Prosecutors from the Public Ministry had sought a 36-month extension, arguing that the investigation into the state-backed housing fund, Fondo Mi Vivienda, involved extraordinary complexity. They cited delays in financial expert reports, a massive volume of documentary evidence, the recent addition of new suspects, and repeated postponements of scheduled hearings.
Legal representatives for Goray, the former general manager of real estate developer Markagroup SAC, agreed that an extension was necessary but argued that a 36-month extension was excessive and disproportionate. Her defense team highlighted periods of inactivity by prosecutors since the case was formally opened in July 2023, claiming that delays had stalled proceedings.
Defense attorneys for Fernandini, a prominent radio and television broadcaster in Peru, opposed the prosecution's petition entirely. They maintained that adding three more years to the investigation period was unjustified and placed an undue burden on the accused.
Judicial Admonition to Prosecutors
In her ruling, Judge Sandoval determined that 12 months provided sufficient time for prosecutors to conclude outstanding investigative tasks, specifically specialized financial audits. She noted that while scheduling delays had occurred, prosecutors bear the responsibility to issue formal warnings to ensure proceedings are not repeatedly frustrated.
The court emphasized that conducting financial expert assessments was the only remaining task that justified extending the deadline. Judge Sandoval instructed the Public Ministry that the 12-month extension is exceptional and final, emphasizing that prosecutors must handle the case with maximum diligence to protect the rights of the accused to a timely resolution of their legal status.
Origins of the Housing Scheme
The criminal investigation stems from events in 2021 during the administration of former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo, who served from July 2021 until his removal from office in December 2022. According to the prosecution's case, Goray sought to secure an official institutional agreement between Markagroup and Fondo Mi Vivienda, a state agency under the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Sanitation designed to promote affordable housing.
Prosecutors allege that Goray sought illegal commercial benefits by colluding with high-level government officials. To establish contact with figures close to Castillo, Goray allegedly tasked co-defendants Julieta Tijero Martino and Fernandini with reaching out to Geiner Alvarado López, who was serving as Peru's Minister of Housing.
The intermediary contacts allegedly enabled meetings with Salatiel Marrufo Alcántara, who was then serving as chief of the Cabinet of Advisors at the Ministry of Housing. Prosecutors allege that these contacts were created to influence administrative decisions and secure lucrative real estate agreements for Markagroup.
Cash Payments and Confession
The Special Team of Prosecutors against Corruption in Power formally opened the preparatory investigation after Goray confessed to prosecutors that she had personally delivered more than four million Peruvian soles in cash to Marrufo.
Goray stated to investigators that the cash payments were intended to guarantee that Markagroup SAC obtained government contracts, project approvals, and financial advantages within the housing sector during the Castillo government. Prosecutors now have until July 2027 to finish technical audits and present their final investigative findings before deciding whether to press formal charges.
