Prosecutor inspects Valenzuela works in case involving mayor

Prosecutor Betty Brítez conducted an inspection and appraisal of public works in Valenzuela, Paraguay, as part of an investigation into alleged embezzlement involving Mayor Mirtha Fernández and five other individuals. The inquiry focuses on road construction projects, specifically cobblestone and gravel surfacing, allegedly carried out during Fernández's administration.

According to the fiscal investigation, the alleged financial damage to the Valenzuela Municipality, located in the Cordillera department, amounts to approximately G. 300 million. This stems from disbursements made with Fonacide funds for projects that were purportedly not completed, with falsified documents allegedly used to support these payments.

One key aspect under scrutiny involves a contract with the firm La Constructora O.R. for a cobblestone project near a local school. However, public procurement records indicate this work had already been executed between 2012 and 2013. Prosecutors suspect the project was simulated, causing a loss of G. 174,931,000, and that false information was submitted to oversight bodies.

Another area of investigation concerns the purchase of gravel for local roads, contracted to Proyectos y Construcciones for G. 124,300,000. Investigators have indications that these works were not performed, and documentation related to a different project may have been used to justify the disbursement. Mayor Fernández has a history of legal troubles, including a prior case involving an alleged G. 1.19 billion misappropriation in 2019 and another G. 300 million embezzlement charge from her 2022 term.