Former president to re-face money laundering charges

FORMER PRESIDENT Ernesto Pérez Balladares will again face trial on accusations of money laundering despite Organized Crime Prosecutor Roberto Moreno having lost the case on two previous occasions.

In a hearing held in the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court, on Monday, October 20, Moreno asked that Perez Balladares and 11 others be brought to trial.
Moreno said at the hearing that the company Lucky Games, which obtained a concession to operate slot machines, sent money illicitly to a holding company.
Defense lawyers objected to the request and asked for a dismissal of the charges.
Gilberto Pérez, one of the lawyers, argued that this was a misuse of power because Pérez Balladares did not have any connection with Lucky Games.