National Party refers alderman Gómez case to Ethics Committee over hiring adviser convicted of money laundering
The National Party will refer to its Ethics Committee the case of alderman Gonzalo Gómez, who hired Pablo Leiva as an adviser, a man convicted of money laundering linked to drug trafficking.
National Party refers case of alderman who hired adviser convicted of money laundering to Ethics Committee
The National Party's Political Affairs Commission recommended on Sunday to the board that the file on alderman Gonzalo Gómez be transferred to the Ethics Committee, according to montevideo.com.uy. The decision was taken following the controversy generated by the hiring of Pablo Leiva as a paid adviser in the Montevideo Departmental Assembly, who was sentenced on 18 September to two years and six months imprisonment for money laundering linked to drug trafficking and internal weapons trafficking.
The same body recommended accepting the resignation of Lucio Leiva, the convicted man's son, as a member of the Montevideo Departmental Youth Commission. Gómez, for his part, informed that he would remove the young man from his advisory team in the Departmental Assembly; Lucio Leiva himself had previously requested to step down from the position.
Political sources indicated to montevideo.com.uy that the president of the white board's directorate, Álvaro Delgado, held a meeting on Sunday with Gómez, who requested that his situation be referred to the Ethics Committee. Subsequently, the alderman appeared before the Political Affairs Commission and made himself available to that body. The recommendations will be elevated to the National Party's directorate, which will address them on 5 October.
Gómez also communicated that he will request a leave of absence from the directorate "until all responsibilities related to the case are clarified".
"The fact that a person convicted of drug trafficking has accessed a position of political trust is of enormous gravity," the Political Affairs Commission stated in its resolution. The body affirmed that the lack of knowledge that its leaders had of Leiva's background "does not excuse" the need to "act with diligence and care in public office", nor to preserve "the image, conduct and history of probity and honour" of the National Party.
"The political system, institutions and democracy are threatened by organised crime and drug trafficking," the commission expressed, stating that the party is determined to remain "alert" and contribute to combating the advance of these organisations. The PN also expressed its confidence in the actions of Justice and the Public Prosecutor's Office to determine possible responsibilities, and reaffirmed respect for "the guarantees of the process and the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise".
The case originated within the framework of Operation Tracer, which led to the detention and subsequent conviction of Pablo Leiva. According to the Public Prosecutor's Office during the judicial hearing, Leiva received cash money from drug trafficking with the aim of introducing it into the legal circuit through money laundering operations. In the search of his home and vehicle, approximately three million pesos were seized, in addition to accounting notes, ammunition and other items.
Gómez had assured, after the case became known, that he was unaware of his then adviser's illicit activities. "I never had knowledge nor suspected that he could be linked to the facts that are now subject to investigation," he stated, although he acknowledged his responsibility for "not having been sufficiently cautious" when incorporating him into his team.
Lucio Leiva was detained along with his father during the operation, but was released by order of the Public Prosecutor's Office. The young man also participated in nationalist youth activities and was part of the alderman's team.
In parallel, the Public Transparency and Ethics Board (Jutep) received a complaint to analyse Gómez's conduct for having hired as a paid adviser a person subsequently convicted of money laundering linked to drug trafficking.
Source: Google News UY — Montevideo