August 6, 2024, 7:31 PM
August 6, 2024, 7:31 PM
An Ecuadorian judge ordered this Monday (05.08.2024) to prosecute for alleged illicit enrichment former minister Javier Cordova, which was part of the government of former President Rafael Correa (2007-2017) and also initially formed part of the administration of former President Lenín Moreno (2017-2021).
National Court Judge Marco Rodríguez Ruiz also issued an order for preventive detention against Córdova, as well as its capture at international level, with a search focused on Colombia and the United States.
The judge also ordered the freezing of bank accounts for the amount of 1,281,402.27 dollars, as the value of the alleged illicit enrichment was established through financial expertise, according to the details provided by the State Attorney General’s Office in a statement.
At the evaluation and trial preparatory hearing, Deputy Attorney General Wilson Toainga indicated that, during the time that Córdova was minister of various portfolios, there was an unjustified increase in the defendant’s assets by the amount already indicated.
This increase “occurred in a constant and continuous manner through financial activities of various kinds, such as the payment of values made by third parties in cash, checks and transfers for alleged commercial, corporate and loan relationships that did not have justification or documented support,” the Public Prosecutor’s Office indicated.
Financial analysis report
There was also the purchase and sale of motorcycles, the acquisition of vehicles with payments made by third parties, deposits or transfers made by private individuals, as well as the cancellation of credit card debts by third parties without any business relationship, since he was a public official.
The prosecutor mentioned that Córdova’s increase in assets exceeded 400 unified basic salaries of the worker in general.
Between January 1, 2012 and January 31, 2018, Córdova held several portfolios (Interior, Non-Renewable Natural Resources, and Mining) during the governments of former presidents Rafael Correa and Lenín Moreno.
The evidence presented included a financial analysis report, which showed that the sum of income received in the defendant’s accounts from third parties was $224,886.20.
The document also states that the amount paid on the credit cards is $809,858.48, plus $166,476.85 (the amount paid for vehicles whose origin is unknown), which gives a total of $1,141,669.68 as alleged illicit enrichment.