198 called to trial for “diablos rojos” $24 million scam

The first judge to liquidate criminal cases, Agueda Rentería, ordered the summons to trial of 198 people for alleged f embezzlement to the detriment of the Transit Authority (ATTT), through the compensation process for the  “Red Devils” (diablos rojos) buses.

 Cases were dismissed for another 337 people.

Through mixed order No. 10 of December 12,  Judge Rentería granted a definitive dismissal in favor of six people, who were accused of fraud, and another 19 of embezzlement.

The anti-corruption prosecutor Anilú Batista -during the preliminary hearing held between the months of March and May in the facilities of the Roberto Durán gymnasium- had requested the summons to trial of 541 people for having irregularly received the money from the compensation of the “red devils” buses to make way for the operation of the Metro Bus service. She said the scam “became a business”

Rentería set a trial date of September 1-29, 2023, and an alternate date of October 9-December 7, 2023, both hearings at 9:00 a.m.

In her resolution, Judge Rentería also denied the annulment motions presented by the defense attorneys and declared criminal extinction for two other people. The court denied a request for modification of the precautionary measure preventing three other defendants from leaving the country.

During the preliminary hearing, the prosecution provided an audit of the Comptroller General in which the existence of a patrimonial injury of $24 million was established.

On that occasion, prosecutor Batista stressed that in this case charges were brought against officials of the ATTT, the Comptroller’s Office, carriers, representatives of the transportation concessionaires, and individuals who “illegally” benefited from the funds allocated by the State for the compensation of the buses.