Pavement case in Santa Cruz: Sergio Luna to pay Bs 50,000 and released
The courts granted substitute measures to the former Secretary of Public Works. The Santa Cruz Municipal Government appealed the decision and promised to continue the proceedings.
Former municipal secretary avoids preventive detention in the "phantom pavement" case
Sergio Luna, former municipal secretary of Public Works in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, was released following a bail hearing held on Wednesday. According to El Deber, the courts imposed substitute measures to preventive detention: payment of a bond of Bs 50,000 and an obligation to present himself before the Public Ministry every 15 days.
The legal director of the Municipal Government, José Luis Coplot, confirmed the decision and announced that the municipal administration will appeal the ruling. "The proceedings do not conclude; on the contrary, we as the municipal administration will continue taking the necessary actions to demonstrate culpability in this matter," Coplot declared.
The case, known as the "phantom pavement", investigates alleged irregularities in paving works. The missing road sections amount to 1.02 kilometres and the estimated economic damage exceeds Bs 6 million.
The complaint was filed by current mayor Manuel 'Mamén' Saavedra against former mayor Jhonny Fernández and against Luna. Coplot emphasised that the investigations are not based on circumstantial allegations, but on technical reports and audits carried out by the municipal administration.
The legal director specified that the Municipal Government will continue to advance the judicial process to determine corresponding responsibilities.
Source: El Deber