M Rosseno Aji, Jakarta – The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named inactive Ambon Mayor Richard Louhenapessy as a suspect in money laundering. Previously, the KPK named Richard as a suspect in a case of alleged bribery.
KPK acting spokesman Ali Fikri said on Monday that during preliminary investigation of the case, investigators found indications of other crimes that Richard allegedly committed while serving as the city's Mayor for two terms; from 2011 to 2016 and from 2017 to 2022.
Richard, he said, is suspected of hiding or disguising the origin of property ownership by using other people's identities.
The KPK had previously named Richard as a suspect in the case of alleged bribery related to the granting of construction permits for 20 retail branches in Ambon City, Maluku, in 2020. He was named as a suspect in the case along with two other people: Ambon City's administrative staff Andrew Erin Hehanusa, and Alfamidi employee Amri.
The KPK suspects that Richard and Andrew received bribes totaling Rp500 million from Amri in return for granting construction permits for 20 convenience stores in Ambon City.