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SQM case

Criminal case in Chile From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SQM) is a Chilean chemical and mining company that mines lithium and makes fertilizer and other chemicals. The company is currently under indictment and investigation for diverting funds to different politicians in Chile. The SQM Case is closely related to the Penta Case, since defendants from both cases overlap and it is the same type of crime. So it's also called the Penta-SQM Case. So far, 6 defendants have been charged.[1]

This case[2] involves allegations of tax fraud and violations of political campaign laws. Various individuals, including politicians, their advisers, and family members, allegedly created fake invoices, which SQM then paid. It is claimed that the proceeds from these invoices were passed on to political parties in violation of campaign finance laws. These individuals are alleged to have acted on behalf of politicians, without the politicians being directly involved. Whether the funds secured any favors for SQM from politicians has so far only been demonstrated in the case of former mining minister Pablo Wagner. New charges brought in August 2015 against certain defendants also include allegations of steering contracts.

In 2017, the United States government announced a deferred prosecution agreement with SQM, in which SQM would pay $15mm USD, to settle Foreign Corrupt Practices Act charges.[3]

The principal stock holder of SQM is Julio Ponce Lerou, formerly son-in-law of the late dictator Pinochet. He is not charged with any wrong doing.

Charges brought against employees and owners of SQM

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This case is different from the Penta Case in that false invoices the tax authorities (SII) were then used to funnel money to politicians on both sides of the political spectrum. In the Penta Case, funds were diverted to right wing politicians of the RN and UDI parties. In the SQM case, the members of the governing coalition, the Nueva Mayoria, received funds as well.

This case is still under investigation. The politicians under investigation are listed below. In many cases payments were made to their assistants[4] and not directly to the politicians.

Governing Coalition (Nueva Mayoria)

More information Name, Party ...

Others

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Alliance (Conservative)

More information Name, Party ...
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