Ex-Guatemalan President Perez Molina facing $38M corruption investigation

GUATEMALA CITY, July 28 (UPI) -- Former Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina, who resigned last year during a bribery scandal, will be investigated in a $38 million corruption case.

Guatemalan Judge Miguel Angel Galvez ordered an investigation into Perez Molina over allegations he received $37.9 million in kickback bribes in return for construction contracts, Prensa Libre reported. Federal investigators will have three months to gather evidence, after which a judge will decide if the case should be taken to trial.

Perez Molina is also accused of receiving a helicopter, a private plane and a luxury car. He resigned as president in September after a warrant was issued for his arrest for his alleged involvement in a bribery and corruption scandal that involved Guatemala's customs services and a Spanish port company. The company was attempting to avoid expensive tariffs.

The latest scandal for which Perez Molina faces investigation involves more than 50 public officials, bankers and business representatives, Angel Galvez said. Perez Molina, who is in custody, has denied wrongdoing in both cases.

In June, Perez Molina and his former Vice President Roxana Baldetti, were charged -- along with 68 others -- with embezzlement, accused of stealing millions in government funds.