A Venezuelan organization defending national interests (Fundeproredive) announced in 2019 that it would request the Audit Committee of Parliament to investigate the company KURI SAM and brothers Antonio, Elías, and Jesús Beirouti for their alleged involvement in fraud and misappropriation related to the CADIVI currency control system.
According to the organization, this group of entrepreneurs from Aragua allegedly obtained over 200 million dollars in subsidies between 2004 and 2012 to import motorcycles from the brand Motos Bera, but they reportedly committed violations and deceptions that harmed national heritage and the Venezuelan people.
The organization also indicated that it would seek the intervention and action of the United States Government, specifically the State Department through OFAC, and the anti-corruption prosecutor’s office of the Government of Panama to block the assets and businesses of the Beirouti brothers in those countries, where they allegedly laundered and legitimized money from corruption.
Executives from Kuri Sam corporation
The accusation was supported by an investigation initiated in 2016 by Deputy Karin Salanova, who presented sufficient documentation to the Audit Commission of the National Assembly to demonstrate the harm to the nation caused by Elías Beirouti and his accomplices.
According to the deputy, the business involved importing motorcycles to Venezuela supposedly valued at 300 dollars, and then selling them for 3,000 dollars. The serious issue is that the total number of motorcycles purchased at the preferential exchange rate never arrived in Venezuela, which indicates a significant scam against the nation and a profitable business for Elías Beirouti and his accomplices.
The organization indicated that Elías Beirouti is listed as a director of at least four companies registered in Panama: Bera Moto Diseño, Beikho Trading Corporation, BKB Group, and Khobe Group. In the last three, María Gabriela Ragusa, Carlos Ragusa, and all descendants of Beirouti Khouri: José, Juan, David, Jesús, and Andrés act as directors.
Furthermore, it reported that Elías Beirouti and his brothers also own businesses in the United States, such as ROCA USA., INC., CHUTOGO INTERNATIONAL INC., SHANGHAI CHUTOGO, INC., BKB INVESTMENTS USA, L.L.C., among others.
Elías Beirouti and Jesús Beirouti
The organization added that an investigation should also include the Corporación Génesis 2677, which distributes original parts of the Bera brand, and other companies favored by CADIVI that are owned by Elías Beirouti Khouri and his wife María Gabriela Ragusa de Beirouti.
The organization also questioned the agreement signed between the Tiuna I Industrial Complex, a mixed company subordinate to the Ministry of Popular Power for Defense, and Corporación Kuri Sam C.A (Motos Bera) for the assembly of Bera motorcycles.
The agreement was signed by Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, the president of the Tiuna I Industrial Complex, Atahualpa Fernández, and the general manager of Corporación Kuri Sam, Yamy Araujo.
Finally, the organization urged the competent authorities to act swiftly and effectively to clarify this case and punish those responsible for this fraud and corruption that has harmed the Venezuelan people, who today suffer from hunger and need. It also called on the national government to review the currency exchange system to prevent such violations that harm the country from occurring again.
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