Asunción's 'asphalt mafia' probe: Administrator to present preliminary report on alleged corruption

An interim administrator for Asunción's Road Directorate is set to present a preliminary report this Friday detailing alleged corruption within the department, a scandal dubbed the "asphalt mafia." Óscar Pérez, who took over the intervention of the municipal body, confirmed that the investigation has uncovered serious irregularities, including the diversion of public resources.

Pérez stated that municipal asphalt was indeed used for private works, and the investigation is currently quantifying the exact amounts involved. The intervention was initiated following complaints filed by councilman Pablo Callizo, which pointed to the irregular use of municipal machinery, supplies, and personnel for asphalt paving on private land.

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Indeed, it was being used (municipal asphalt on private works). Now, the question of quantities is what is being looked at. That, for example, is a piece of information I am waiting for, to see if that quantity (140 tons) was indeed used in the reported incident.

Initial findings revealed anomalies in the daily records of asphalt mixture production and excessive fuel consumption inconsistent with the department's actual operations. These administrative irregularities occurred amid a lack of technological control and surveillance within the municipal directorate's facilities. Pérez confirmed that, in addition to the former director Nicolás Duarte, other high-ranking officials, including the heads of administration, supply and fuel, and scales units, have been removed from their positions.

As corrective measures, Pérez's administration has reactivated over half of the security cameras that were out of service and plans to implement GPS tracking and stricter fleet control. The goal is to restore transparency and accountability to the Road Directorate.

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The head of the administrative department, the head of the supply and fuel unit, also the head of the scales unit, to name a few, they were all removed and no longer belong to the Road Directorate.