Sanctions Threatened Against Cartista Deputy Accused of Alleged Embezzlement of G. 853 Million

A Paraguayan deputy, Rubén Rousillón Blaires of the ANR party, is facing accusations of allegedly diverting G. 853 million from the Presidente Hayes departmental government during his tenure as governor. The case has seen a judicial confirmation of the judge assigned to the preliminary hearing.

The Tribunal of Appeals Multifuero of Presidente Hayes upheld Judge José Eugenio Jacquet Rivarola's jurisdiction over the case. This decision came after Rousillón Blaires' defense team filed a recusal motion against the judge. The appellate court rejected this motion, deeming it unfounded and warning both the deputy and his lawyers against further dilatory maneuvers.

The court explicitly stated that persistent use of tactics aimed at delaying the proceedings could result in sanctions under Article 114 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and other relevant regulations. This warning underscores the court's intent to move the case forward efficiently.

Judge Jacquet Rivarola had initially recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest, as his wife was part of the sentencing panel in a separate case involving former governor Óscar "Ñoño" Núñez, who was convicted for embezzling G. 42.5 billion. However, his recusal was challenged, and the Appeals Tribunal ultimately confirmed his role in Rousillón Blaires' preliminary hearing.