PANAJI
The Special Session Court at Mapusa on Wednesday framed charges against then PWD minister Churchill Alemao and the Margao MLA in connection with the infamous Louis Berger money laundering case.
Both the accused have, however, pleaded not guilty and will now face trial.
The two accused along with their lawyers as well as Special Public Prosecutor Siddharth Samant, who appeared on behalf of the ED, were present in the court of Judge Sherin Paul.
Speaking to reporters outside the court, the Margao MLA said the judge had directed them to remain present to respond to the charge and they had done so.
“I told the court that I am innocent and I will be present for the next hearing,” he told reporters.
Stating he had full faith in the court, Alemao said he was confident of getting justice as he is not guilty.
Alemao, the Margao MLA and other government officials have been accused of allegedly accepting a $976,630 bribe in 2010 from officials of US-based Louis Berger consultancy firm ostensibly to secure implementation rights of a multi-billion dollar water and sewerage project in Goa worth Rs 1,031 crore funded by the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA).
