A Bogota judge has offered to suspend extortion charges against a former official if he testifies against jailed former mayor, Samuel Moreno.
Legal action against Inocencio Melendez Julio, the former deputy legal director of the Institute of Urban Development (IDU) accused of extorting money in the awarding of public works contracts, will be suspended for a year if he testifies against Moreno, who is facing a long list of embezzlement charges.
The judge is also giving Melendez Julio the chance to be the star witness in the cases against former bosses, ex-director of the IDU Liliana Pardo and the ex-district controller Miguel Angel Moralesrussi, also implicated in the Bogota public works scandal.
The case prosecutor Ricardo Gonzalez said “The statements of Melendez are very effective and for the Prosecutor General’s Office are highly valuable tools to move forward in these cases.”
After one year, prosecutors will assess whether or not the information provided by Melendez Julio was sufficient to move the trials forward. If so, his benefits could be extended for a longer period.
The judge also said that Melendez Julio must demonstrate that he wants to collaborate with the prosecutor General’s Office, behave himself and appear at court when summoned.
Melendez Julio was banned from public office for 11 years for carrying out the orders of Lilina Pardo Gaona to award public works contracts without complying to laws and regulations.
Up-date
Melendez Julio has agreed to testify in the case against former mayor Moreno. His lawyer Patricia Monroy is requesting extra protection for her client, his family and close friends claiming that his life is now in danger.