Santa Cruz mayor's office warns that Jhonny Fernández could move from witness to investigation subject in Mutualista case
The Transparency Directorate of the cross-town municipality points out that the former mayor would no longer appear as a witness only, but as an investigation subject, due to multiple cases of alleged irregularities in his administration.
Santa Cruz mayor's office warns that Jhonny Fernández could move from witness to investigation subject in Mutualista case
The Directorate of Transparency and Anti-Corruption of the Municipal Government of Santa Cruz de la Sierra considers that former mayor Jhonny Fernández could cease appearing as a witness and instead become an investigation subject within the framework of inquiries into alleged irregularities during his administration, particularly in what is known as the Mutualista case.
The director of that office, Alberto Vaca, expressed in a press conference that the citizens of Santa Cruz should be aware that at any moment the procedural status of the former mayor could change. Vaca indicated that there are numerous cases under investigation linked to the five alleged major criminal organisations reported by the current mayor, Jhonny Fernández Saavedra, nicknamed "Mamén".
According to the municipal authority, Fernández was serving as the highest authority of the local Executive during the administration that is now under scrutiny. Vaca maintained that the former mayor was the superior of those officials who, according to the report, would have lost lawsuits to the municipality's detriment in order to favour private individuals, as allegedly occurred with the Mutualista market.
The Directorate of Transparency reaffirmed that it will continue to collaborate actively with the investigations and accompany the judicial processes not only relating to the Mutualista case, but also to other reports submitted by the current municipal administration.
The previous Tuesday, Jhonny Fernández appeared before the Public Ministry to testify in the capacity of a witness in the Mutualista case. During his appearance, the former mayor defended his administration and asserted that he conducted a firm defence of the Mutualista lands, arguing that these form part of the municipality's heritage.
Source: EL DEBER
Source: El Deber