Former Puerto Natales mayor convicted of bribery in LED Lights case

Former Puerto Natales mayor José Fernando Paredes has been convicted of bribery in the Luces Led case, in which prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Prosecutor Paulina Valdebenito established at trial that Paredes accepted money from Itelecom Holding. The payment was allegedly intended to persuade him to violate the duties of his office and take illegal steps to favor the companies during a tender to replace public lighting with LED technology.

The trial confirmed that on July 20, 2019, Paredes spoke by telephone with an executive from the Itelecom group about the technical specifications for the future tender. Prosecutors said he provided a telephone number and email address so that he could receive recommendations or comments directly from the executive and other holding-company officials.

Paredes served as mayor from 2008 to 2021 and belongs to the Independent Democratic Union, or UDI. The conviction places him at risk of a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

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The accused gave him a telephone number and his email address to receive recommendations or comments directly from him and the other executives of the holding, with the aim of benefiting Itelecom.