Santa Cruz Public Prosecutor's Office Investigates Source of Funds from Alleged 'Pasanaco' Scheme Involving Mariaca and Journalists
The Public Prosecutor's Office is seeking to determine the origin of funds that former prosecutor Róger Mariaca allegedly distributed to journalists. The investigation points to officials, not to the media.
Public Prosecutor's Office Traces Funds from Alleged 'Pasanaco' Linked to Former Prosecutor Mariaca
The Public Prosecutor's Office of Santa Cruz is investigating the origin of money that former prosecutor Róger Mariaca allegedly distributed to journalists through a 'pasanaco' arrangement, in order to obtain favourable coverage of his administration. According to El Deber, the departmental prosecutor Jimmy López clarified that the investigation does not target the media outlets, but rather the officials who allegedly managed and delivered those resources.
"What we need to know with regard to this situation is where those resources came from, because we are talking about the fact that the institution, in this case the Public Prosecutor's Office, does not have provisions for extra payments," López stated at a press conference.
The Prosecutor's Office is processing information to determine whether the institution itself disbursed the amounts, who authorised those payments, and whether administrative mechanisms existed to justify them. Similarly, an investigation is underway to determine whether journalists or media outlets may have irregularly used State transport.
"If State transport was being used, we are talking about the improper use of State property," López said.
The departmental prosecutor emphasised that the central objective is to identify the authorities or officials involved in the administration and delivery of the money, as well as to establish possible criminal liabilities. López indicated that information continues to be processed and that the formal investigation will begin once the necessary elements have been gathered.
The case became public after the dissemination of complaints on social media and public forums about an alleged payment scheme known as 'pasanaco', through which Mariaca allegedly compensated certain journalists in exchange for favourable coverage. When asked about a purported list of beneficiaries, López confirmed that such material is in the Prosecutor's Office's possession and is being analysed.
The authority avoided disclosing names or details about possible persons involved and indicated that the results of the analysis will be known at later stages. For the time being, the Public Prosecutor's Office has not specified the total amount of payments, the number of people who may have received money, or the identity of the officials who allegedly administered those resources.
Source: El Deber