Ivan Moreno’s defense attorney has pleaded to nullify the corruption proceedings against his client, claiming that the inspector general acted “selectively” against his client.
According to Moreno’s defense attorney, Jaime Araujo, Colombia’s Inspector General
Alejandro Ordoñez made a “pact” with the leaders of the Nule group, in order to jump on the case against Moreno and his brother, suspended Bogota Mayor Samuel Moreno.
They have been investigated for their alleged involvement in a scheme that awarded public works contracts to the Nule Group, in exchange for monetary kick-backs, with Ivan Moreno arrested on April 28 for his part in the scandal.
Araujo used emails between Miguel Nule and his lawyer, Daniel Largacha, to demonstrate their inclinations to go straight to the inspector general and thus turn the tide of the investigation towards Moreno.
Nule supposedly wrote, “Topple the Morenos or we are prisoners. He made the mistake of fucking and sucking the cock of the Court and the inspector general. We must recover lost time.”
The defense says this evidence helps show that Ordoñez has acted “selectively” and that the “the inspector general is the greatest ally to the Nules.”
Araujo believes that the pact between the Nule Group and Ordoñez was a matter of opportune timing, while the speed in which Ordoñez pushed this case against the former senator demonstrates an alliance with the disgraced Nule directors.
The defense attorney and former magistrate also complained that the inspector general has failed to complete certain tests requested by the defense, while on the contrary he has been diligent with the requests from the Nule Group.
“It’s easy for a public official to stop practicing the tests they want or to practice those they want,” said Araujo.
Moreno’s defense even suggested that Ordoñez be taken off the case because Ordoñez publicly endorsed Moreno in his campaign and said the that pair also met to discuss Ordoñez’s run for office.
After 10 hours of testimony from the defense, Inspector General Ordoñez decided to recess the trial. Proceedings will continue Friday at 10:00 AM.