Ecuador VP to face trial in Odebrecht corruption case
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A court in Ecuador has paved the way for a criminal trial to begin against the nation's vice president in an alleged corruption plot involving Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht.
A judge with the National Justice Court announced Tuesday that Jorge Glas and 12 other defendants should be tried and could face up to 5 years in jail if convicted.
Glas was jailed in early October after the Supreme Court ordered him detained while being investigated for allegedly taking bribes from Odebrecht.
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Glas has denied ever receiving any money from Odebrecht and refuses to give up his post.
He is the latest high-ranking government official in Latin America to come under scrutiny for purportedly taking bribes or illegal campaign contributions as part of Odebrecht's rapid expansion in the region.