Hearing of “Beto” Melgarejo suspended

Judge Miguel Palacios suspended the preliminary hearing in the case where the former head of the Dinac, Édgar “Beto” Melgarejo Ginard, is being processed. The defense attorney for Fernando Gallardo, one of the other six defendants, raised an action of unconstitutionality that was accepted by the chambermaids.

In yesterday’s preliminary hearing, the imposition of measures had to be established. The Public Ministry had requested the elevation of the case to an oral and public trial.

Besides Melgarejo Ginard, the other defendants are; Marcelo Ovelar, former coordinator of the Contracting Operations Unit (UOC), Fernando Gallardo de Brix, former director of the Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, María Luz Chamorro, former administrative manager, Juan Carlos Turitich Báez, former financial director. And the representatives of the supplier firm “Proyectos Global SA”; Katherine Pamela Toñánez Vera and Carlos Alberto Vargas Franco.

Antonio Fretes, César Diesel and Víctor Ríos, are the members of the constitutional court that gave rise to the action of unconstitutionality raised by the defense. Now, they will have to analyze and solve it before continuing with the hearing.

CONTEXT

The Melgarejo case was the first major corruption scandal during the pandemic. “Beto” and six other people were charged for alleged breach of trust.

The politician was forced to resign on April 16, 2020. This, after the irregular purchase of masks. According to unofficial information, Abdo Benítez himself, the national president, asked him to resign from office, after public pressure demanded his dismissal.

Specifically, Melgarejo, through the Contracting Operational Unit (UOC), acquired 4,000 units of masks worth G. 29,990 each. Giving as a total value the sum of G. 120 million. The masks were of the PFF2 S type, which, on the market at that time, had the value of G. 15,000 each. It therefore represents an overbilling of 50%.

PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

According to the accusation of the prosecutors in the case; Sussy Riquelme and Juan Ledesma, a criminal scheme was set up at Dinac in order to divert public funds. It is not only about the diversion of funds but also about a patrimonial damage for the public entity.

The case advances, despite the fact that the company “Proyectos Global SA” has paid G. 60 million for the patrimonial damage generated to the aeronautical institution. The sum was deposited into a judicial account. The reason why their managers are still being processed is because the Public Ministry did not give their consent. In other words, for prosecutors, the payment of said sum does not yet cover all the damage caused by the event in question.

NOTHING CHANGED

Despite the departure of Melgarejo, the situation in the institution would remain the same. On April 20, 2020, Félix Kanasawa took office, but Melgarejo’s trusted persons continue in their positions.

According to our sources, these are the people who continue to hold decision-making positions and who were loyal to Melgarejo; Douglas Cubilla, director of airports, Zulma Román, deputy director of the Adrian Jara National Institute (Inac). José Luis Larengueira, deputy director of administration and finance. Alberto Isasi, Silvio Pettirossi’s cargo manager. Adriano Ramírez, general secretary of the Dinac and Fermín Campuzano, airport administrator.