Former mayor Jhonny Fernández sent to Palmasola for embezzlement of 191 million bolivianos
A preventive detention judge ordered the preventive detention of Jhonny Fernández for 180 days at Palmasola prison for embezzlement of funds. The president of the Municipal Council demands recovery of the money.
Municipal Council demands recovery of funds following detention of former mayor Fernández
A preventive detention judge determined on Wednesday the preventive detention of the former mayor of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Jhonny Fernández, for 180 days in Palmasola prison, according to El Deber. The measure was issued as part of proceedings for embezzlement of funds involving 191 million bolivianos corresponding to a credit obtained for works that were never carried out.
The arrest took place before midday and, within hours, the preventive detention hearing was held at the Palace of Justice. The transfer to the penitentiary is expected to be completed on the evening of the same day.
For the president of the Municipal Council, Luisa Nayar, preventive detention is not sufficient. "Prison is not enough, the money of the Santa Cruz residents must be recovered," she declared to the media upon concluding the hearing. Nayar, who was present alongside councillors Marco Cadena and Nury Meleán, expanded her position: "It was what corresponded following the irregular acts in Jhonny Fernández's administration, but prison is not enough, the resources that should have been allocated for the benefit of Santa Cruz residents must be recovered."
Fernández himself, in previous statements, had linked the money in question to the payment of bonuses.
Source: El Deber