592 facing trial in $24 million red devils compensation scam
Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Kyra Tascón is preparing to call 532 people to trial for alleged embezzlement of over $24nillion in the compensation of “red devils ” (retired US school buses).
This, follows the expiration of eight months granted by the Eighth Criminal Court, to conclude the proceedings.
In that time, calligraphic tests on the accused were carried out by experts from the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences. to confirm the authenticity of those who signed the bus operation certificates.
The prosecution also requested banking information on the movement of money in accounts belonging to the related parties, performed medical examinations of some of the syndicates, and resolved hundreds of testimonies submitted by defense attorneys.
Between 2010 and 2014, when Ricardo Martinelli ruled the country, 2,649 owners of operating certificates were compensated, when Metro buses were introduced, which represented a disbursement of $94.8 million.
$25,000 was paid for the red devils of regular routes and $35,000 for those who were traveling through the corridors, while $ 50,000 was given to those who had coaster buses and $75,000 to those who had luxury buses.
The prosecutor’s investigation showed that some buses were compensated up to twice, and in other cases they were compensated for buses that were actually junked and no longer in circulation.
Among those charged are the former directors of the Transportation Authority (ATTT), Jorge Ricardo Fábrega, Ventura Vega, and Roberto Moreno. That list also includes the former deputy director of the entity Arturo Araúz; and the former director of the Single Vehicle Registry of the ATTT, Nicolás Brea.
Franz Wever, former secretary-general of the National Assembly (2014-2019), and current adviser to the Legislature is also facing charges.
The Comptroller General detected a possible patrimonial injury to the State of over $24 million for the allegedly irregular payment of 590 operating certificates.
