Ecuador court convicts relatives of ex-VP Lenín Moreno in Sinohydro bribery case

Ecuador's National Court of Justice has determined the criminal responsibility of individuals convicted of bribery in the Sinohydro case, confirming the existence of a structured network designed to channel illicit payments. The ruling in Quito upheld the guilt of businessman Conto Patiño Martínez, along with relatives and close associates of former Vice President Lenín Moreno, in connection with the awarding and financing of the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric project. The tribunal, composed of judges Manuel Cabrera, Daniella Camacho, and Julio Inga, declared Conto Patiño Martínez directly culpable. The court's decision established that the businessman controlled corporate entities, including Comercial Recorsa, to receive $76.18 million from Sinohydro between 2010 and 2017. These funds were allegedly transferred under the guise of unsubstantiated consulting services and subsequently distributed to public officials and intermediaries. Within the same corporate structure, Xavier Macías Carmigniani was found guilty for his role in the financial and corporate setup, facilitating the receipt and dispersal of funds, with evidence showing transfers of $3.4 million to Espíritu Santo Holdings. María Auxiliadora Patiño Herdoiza was convicted as an accomplice for her conscious involvement in companies used to facilitate public dealings, while Juan Carlos Patiño and Manuel Ignacio Patiño were sentenced as accomplices for managing and collecting illicit funds. In relation to former Vice President Moreno's family, the tribunal convicted his spouse, Rocío González Navas, as an accomplice for channeling a $1,568 check issued by Comercial Recorsa. His daughter, Irina Moreno González, was also convicted as an accomplice after receiving $52,000 ($40,000 from Ginepri SA and $12,000 from Recorsa). Moreno's brothers, Edwin Moreno Garcés (who received $217,000 and coordinated collections) and Guillermo Moreno Garcés (who received a $10,000 check), along with his sister-in-law Marta González Navas (who received $15,000 without commercial justification), were also declared accomplices. The court's ruling implicated Lenín Moreno himself as the direct perpetrator of bribery, stating he used his position as Vice President to facilitate the project's financing. Proceedings are ongoing to determine the specific prison sentences for each convicted individual.

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The Court National of Justice determined the individual criminal responsibility of those convicted of bribery in the Sinohydro case, after proving beyond a reasonable doubt the existence of a structured network to channel illicit payments.