Case against ex-judge heading to 4th year

The case against a Supreme Court Judge who resigned three years ago days before the imputation hearing of charges of embezzlement, money laundering and corruption of officials is still plodding forward says the Fifteenth Criminal Court.

Víctor Benavides is still under investigation by the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office of Discharge and, the Second Superior Court of Justice has resolved four incidents of controversy and two of nullity, presented the defense attorneys, and also a request for extension and accumulation presented by the prosecution. Five appeals have not been admitted.

On May 18, 2016, the Court granted an application for a  six months investigation extension to the office of the prosecutor

However, this decision was appealed by the defense, and the appeal was rejected by the Second Superior Court. The defense reacted by presenting a clarification brief, which was admitted.

The Second Superior Court forwarded the file to the court on June 20, “and they are awaiting a re-entry order to be sent to the prosecutor’s office, “said the Judicial Branch in a press release in which there is a broad breakdown of the resources resolved to date.

“The lawyers, exercising their defense, have the availability to present all the resources that it contemplates the Judicial Code and the Penal Code, therefore the Fifteenth Court cannot prevent the parties making use of them, “adds the press release.

Benavides resigned as a magistrate, on June 19, 2015,  a few days before the imputation hearing of charges in the National Assembly,

Then, the Deputy Jorge Alberto Rosas-acting as prosecutor-referred the file to the Attorney General’s Office.