Ex-Ombudsman Chairman Used 'John Lennon 07' Alias for Bribes, Prosecutors Say
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Former Indonesian Ombudsman Chairman Hery Susanto allegedly used aliases, including 'John Lennon 07,' to receive bribes from mining companies.
- Prosecutors revealed Hery received a total of Rp4.85 billion in bribes, including cash and a house, for processing mining permits.
- He is charged under anti-corruption laws, facing potential penalties for accepting bribes related to problematic mining business permits.
Former Indonesian Ombudsman Chairman Hery Susanto allegedly operated under multiple pseudonyms, including the distinct alias 'John Lennon 07,' while accepting bribes from mining companies. Prosecutors detailed the use of these aliases, such as 'Hery HMI,' 'Tolkeyem,' and 'Komandante,' in WhatsApp communications with bribe intermediaries.
The bribes, totaling Rp4.85 billion, were reportedly given in exchange for processing recommendations for mining companies whose permits were problematic. The payments included cash and a house valued at Rp2.2 billion in East Jakarta. The funds were channeled through intermediaries like Agung Winarno and Lukman Malanuang.
Has used several aliases, namely Hery HMI, John Lennon 07, Tolkeyem, Komandante, Edy Adhimas Hery HMI Cirebon, Septian, Hery HMI, Ponakan Supir 2021, Tolkeyem MM with phone numbers including as stated in the indictment.
Hery is accused of issuing inspection reports from the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia (LHP) that indicated maladministration, allegedly influenced by these illicit payments. He faces charges under Indonesia's anti-corruption law, specifically articles related to accepting bribes and gratuities.
The acceptance of money and goods through Agung Winarno was to move the Defendant Hery Susanto in issuing the LHP (Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia Inspection Report) which stated maladministration.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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