Chilean judge closes Pinochet embezzlement case, family not charged

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Chilean judge closes Pinochet embezzlement case, family not charged

SANTIAGO | Mon Aug 5, 2013 6:08pm EDT

(Reuters) - A Chilean court decided on Monday not to charge any of late dictator Augusto Pinochet's family members in a long-running investigation into the origin of the general's fortune and his suspected embezzlement of public funds.

The judge did charge six former members of the military who had collaborated with Pinochet in the so-called Riggs case.

Pinochet was charged in 2005 with tax evasion in connection with millions of dollars he held in foreign bank accounts, which came to light after a U.S. Senate investigation into banking irregularities at the now-defunct Washington-based Riggs Bank.

Chilean judge Manuel Antonio Valderrama decided not to charge Pinochet's widow, Lucia Hiriart, and her children. He said the decision can be appealed within 15 days.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/05/us-chile-court-pinochet-idUSBRE97410H20130805

[Judi Lynn]

1. Absolutely unbelievable. The Pinochets still have powerful allies, clearly.

This is a hideous resolution, surely the decision will be appealed. They should not be allowed to live in horrendous wealth everyone in the world knows their father did NOT earn. Authorities examining his income throughout his working life, knows there is no way possible for him to have acquired that fortune legitimately. NO way.

From Agence France-Presse:

Chile closes probe into Pinochet's secret bank accounts abroad
POSTED: 06 Aug 2013 4:44 AM

A Chilean judge has closed a nine-year investigation into late dictator Augusto Pinochet's secret bank accounts abroad, without bringing charges against any member of the former president's family.

~snip~
SANTIAGO - A Chilean judge has closed a nine-year investigation into late dictator Augusto Pinochet's secret bank accounts abroad, without bringing charges against any member of the former president's family. Judge Manuel Valderrama said he had exhausted all leads but had not determined the source of the more than $21 million placed in the Riggs Bank in Washington, DC and other institutions.

Pinochet's five children and his wife Lucia Hiriart initially had been accused of embezzlement, but none were charged with any crime. The closure of the probe triggered competing claims from plaintiffs and Pinochet's family.

~snip~
Over the course of the investigation, however, the judge brought charges against six former military officers alleged to have handled the money. Two former generals -- Jorge Ballerino and Ramon Castro -- were accused of opening a secret account at the Riggs Bank for Pinochet under the pseudonym "Daniel Lopez." Four other officers who served as private secretary to Pinochet were accused of transferring the funds, opening and closing accounts and hiding their existence.

"There was a lack of interest in following through in this case which had many rough spots that were not cleared up," Alfonso Insunza, a lawyer for the plaintiffs said. "We will never know what was the reality of Pinochet's illicit enrichment," said another lawyer for the plaintiffs, Carmen Hertz.

More:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/chile-closes-probe-into/766446.html

[center]



Lucia shows them how its done as she applies her lipstick.



His handsome sonny boy, Augusto Pinochet Hiriart



His similarly lovely daughter, Lucía Pinochet Hiriart



Enchanting granddaughter with Lucia at commemorative
mass for U.S. ally, General Augusto Pinochet[/center]

[Judi Lynn]

2. K & R. n/t