Hearing on embezzlement charges against Jhonny Fernández brought forward to 27 October in Santa Cruz
The precautionary hearing of former mayor Jhonny Fernández, suspended on 22 October, was rescheduled for this Tuesday at midday at the Palace of Justice.
Fernández to appear before justice this Tuesday on alleged embezzlement of Bs 190 million
The precautionary measures hearing against former Santa Cruz de la Sierra mayor Jhonny Fernández, initially scheduled for 9 November, has been brought forward to Tuesday 27 October at midday at the Palace of Justice, according to confirmation from El Deber.
Santa Cruz mayor Carlos Manuel Saavedra announced the change via social media. "Tomorrow Johnny Fernández is going to be sitting in front of justice. It is not simply a matter of saying I am hoarse and having it suspended. One has to demonstrate it and in the end they were unable to do so. This documentation and the respective authorities certify this," said Saavedra, known as Mamén.
The original hearing was scheduled for Thursday 22 October, but was suspended after Fernández's defence lawyer argued that he was hoarse and having difficulties speaking. The court changed the date to November, but subsequently brought it forward again.
The case revolves around the alleged embezzlement of more than Bs 190 million that was reportedly allocated for the construction of the fourth ring viaduct and the La Guardia dual carriageway in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
The Vice-Minister for Transparency, Legal Security and Human Rights, Yamil García, questioned Judge Ana Gloria Rojas's decision to suspend the hearing and announced the opening of an investigation into her conduct. "There would be questions regarding the mechanisms that would have sustained this suspension of precautionary measures hearing, so, in that sense, within the framework of what is also established by Supreme Decree 5749, we are opening an investigative line in relation to the conduct of this authority," García said.
The vice-minister added that an analysis of the judge's records revealed that in fiscal year 2025 she has only three cases in progress for alleged serious misconduct, data which, according to García, "deserves considerable attention".
Source: El Deber