Alarm bells have been ringing in the National Party following the review of a legal report by the Transparency and Public Ethics Board (Jutep), also known as the Anti-Corruption Board. This document could trigger a series of judicial complexities in the department of Florida, according to political sources who spoke to Búsqueda.
The Jutep council, which met last Thursday 25, evaluated a report from its legal advisors that suggests transferring to the Attorney General’s Office a file related to alleged criminal activities in the Florida Municipality. The main complaint focuses on Mayor Guillermo López, a member of the National Party, and highlights a series of direct contracts that add up to irregularities.
Hiring under suspicion
The main accusation focuses on the direct hiring of the company Rodríguez Castellini y Rodríguez Coito on 37 occasions. This company, owned by the son and ex-husband of the mayor’s personal secretary, Natalia Castellini, was favored with preferential treatment in the awarding of a contract to rent backhoes for the collection of non-domestic waste. The contracts in question amount to a total of approximately 70,000 dollars.
The matter became so serious that, in July of last year, when the Departmental Board was in the midst of deliberating on the Accountability of the Mayor’s Office, the controversy forced Castellini to resign from his post. The dispute significantly divided the National Party, reflecting the internal tensions over López’s management.
Political and judicial context
The Frente Amplio councillor, Fabiel González, filed the complaint with the Jutep, which passed the evaluation of the case to its legal team. At its next session, the board will have to decide on the recommendation of its legal advisors, which aims to forward the background information to the Prosecutor’s Office, arguing the existence of a presumption of crimes.
While the Jutep’s ruling is not binding, it carries enough weight to trigger legal action that could have serious repercussions for López and his team. Jutep’s recommendations are usually considered by Uruguay’s judicial system.
Investigation in Maldonado that soaks Antía
The Jutep is also targeting another investigation involving the Municipality of Maldonado, another stronghold of the National Party. The Jutep council requested documentation from the Municipality related to the delivery of a house in 2018 under a “commodato” regime. The house, intended for people in a situation of social vulnerability, was assigned to Mary Nellys Bermolen Muñoz, a member of the National Party.
According to information released by Caras y Caretas, the award was authorized by Mayor Enrique Antía. However, according to the complaint being reviewed by Jutep, Bermolen did not meet the requirements established to benefit from said housing.
