Unfreezing of former judges bank account denied

A MOTION to unfreeze a bank account holding over$400.000 in the name of former Supreme Court Judge, Victor Benavides has been rejected by a National Assembly Tribunal but his investigation for the alleged sale of decisions will now be handed over to the Attorney General.

 His attorney, Angel Gomez, had submitted the request during a hearing in the Blue Hall of the Legislative Palace.
Gomez said there is no evidence the money was illegally obtained.
The judge faces charges of unjustified enrichment. He has resigned from the bench but maintains his innocence reports La Prensa.
The Tribunal, chaired by Deputy Héctor Valdés Carrasquilla, made the decision after considering that the investigation has not yet been completed.
Earlier, Prosecutor Jorge Alberto Rosas told the Tribunal that he has no authority to continue with the investigation. Since Benavides resigned from the court last week, the National Assembly no longer has jurisdiction, he told the Tribunal.
“The judge’s resignation, which was accepted by the president, means the National Assembly has lost its status to continue the investigation,” he said.
Rosas said he had sufficient evidence to present “accusation of charges” against Benavides for crimes against public administration, money laundering and corruption of officials.
He said that information would be turned over to the public prosecutor’s office