Former mayor misses embezzlement hearing, citing health issues

Former mayor Jhonny Fernández did not attend a scheduled hearing on July 30th at the Directorate of Transparency (Delcc) to provide his statement in a case of alleged embezzlement of public funds.

Fernández's lawyer, Samuel Durán, had assured his client would be present, but the former mayor was a no-show. His office stated that Fernández was suffering from health problems, specifically a decompression issue related to hypertension. Meanwhile, a group of residents gathered at the Delcc facilities, holding signs and voicing support for the current mayor, Mamén Saavedra, while awaiting Fernández's appearance.

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However, neither of those situations has occurred, nor does the money exist, therefore, there is an embezzlement of funds related to those credits.

The accusation stems from two credits totaling 191 million bolivianos obtained during Fernández's tenure. One credit was for 17 projects, and the other, for 66 million bolivianos, was specifically earmarked for the construction of a viaduct on the La Guardia highway. According to municipal officials, neither the viaduct was built nor the funds accounted for, leading to the embezzlement charges. Alberto Vaca from the Directorate of Transparency confirmed that the credit for the viaduct was secured, but the project was never executed, leaving the debt active. The Public Ministry is expected to announce the next steps in the investigation.

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the process investigates an alleged embezzlement of funds from a credit of Bs 66 million destined for the construction of the viaduct of the fourth ring of the double road to La Guardia, a work that was never executed.