World

Ecuador's VP handed 6 years in prison in Odebrecht graft case

Published December 14, 2017 Updated December 14, 2017 01:35am

He is the highest-ranking politician to be convicted in the sprawling case centered on Odebrecht, whose practice of giving bribes to secure public works contracts has cast a cloud over officials and ex-officials in several Latin American countries.

Glas, 48, had been in preventive custody since October. His trial before Ecuador's Supreme Court started last month.

Prosecutors said he received a total of $13.5 million in Odebrecht bribes, via an uncle who is also under arrest.

Copyright Reuters, 2017