They want to destroy me – ex-minister

FORMER MINISTER of Social Development Guillermo Ferrufino, who once had presidential ambitions, arrived at  the third criminal court on Wednesday April 27 brandishing his handcuffs and screaming to reporters: “They want to destroy me,”

He was in court  for a preliminary hearing into  what  is the lowest on the totem pole  of a raft of charges he faces relating to his time in office when, according to prosecutors he spent around three times his income.

Wednesday’s case  involved  irregularities in the purchase of a Toyota Land Cruiser while he was in office.

Also charged in this case are Angel Brenan Rodriguez, Tomás Rugliancich and Rugliancich Edilma Him.

Previously, Milena Vallarino, wife of the former minister, who is facing criminal charges in another case said: “We want justice.”

Investigators found that the company Food Gel, S.A. issued a $60,000 check to pay for half the cost of the vehicle. The company received contracts worth almost $3 million between 2012 and 2013.

Ferrufino has been held in preventive detention since March 4, 2015 for various criminal proceedings against him.