Ecuador: Former vice-president Jorge Glas sentenced to 13 years in prison for corruption
The sentence relates to the misuse of funds intended for the reconstruction of the provinces of Manabí and Esmeraldas, affected by a devastating 7.8 earthquake in 2016 that left nearly 700 dead.
Ex-vice president of Ecuador, Jorge Glas.
Ecuador's former vice president, Jorge Glas, was sentenced Monday to 13 years in prison for a new corruption case, the National Court of Justice ruled.
In addition, he was imposed a lifetime disqualification from holding public office and a fine of $28,800 USD, along with the loss of his political participation rights for 25 years, according to report Infobae.
The ruling relates to the misuse of funds intended for the reconstruction of the provinces of Manabi and Esmeraldas, affected by a devastating 7.8 earthquake in 2016 that left nearly 700 dead.
The judge, Mercedes Caicedo, in charge of reading the ruling, noted that the resources collected through taxes and contributions for reconstruction were used in "unserviceable, unused and unnecessary constructions," violating the Solidarity Law and showing "null respect" towards the victims of the earthquake.
The court also ordered Glas, along with the ex-secretary of the reconstruction committee, Carlos Bernal, to pay $250 million for material and immaterial damages caused by irregularities in the management of more than $225 million.
Background and previous convictions
Glas, who was vice president during the government of Rafael Correa (2007-2017) and briefly under Lenín Moreno, is already being held in a maximum security prison serving previous sentences of six and eight years for two other corruption cases.
Defense and arguments
The defense also requested the ratification of his innocence, arguing that the evidence presented by the Prosecutor's Office was insufficient. However, the court dismissed these arguments and proceeded with the conviction.
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