Colombia suspends governor, investigates 6 more on coronavirus corruption claims
Colombia suspends governor, investigates 6 more on coronavirus corruption claims
by Adriaan Alsema April 24, 2020
One governor was suspended and another six are facing criminal investigations over alleged embezzlement of coronavirus emergency aid, Colombia’s authorities announced on Friday.
The suspension of Choco governor Ariel Palacio and the criminal investigations against him and the governors of Arauca, Cesar, Tolima, San Andres, Magdalena and Vichada were announced by the country’s inspector general, chief prosecutor and comptroller general.
Massive operation against suspected mass corruption
So far, the joint task force of the three institutions found suspected corruption in 53 investigations into suspicious emergency contracts with a total value of $33.8 billion (COP135.9 billion), the prosecution, the Inspector General’s Office and the Comptroller General’s Office said in a press release.
The investigations into the governors and the allegedly corrupt government contractors are part of a joint corruption investigation dedicated to corruption in the granting of major aid packages granted by the national government in response to the coronavirus.
More:
https://colombiareports.com/colombia-suspends-governor-investigates-6-more-on-coronavirus-corruption-claims/