The former head of Colombian pyramid scheme DMG testified Wednesday that Bogota‘s current ombudsman accepted $110,000 in bribes from him in 2008.
David Murcia Guzman, former head of a Colombian pyramid scheme that laundered money for drug lords, testified that he had ordered the payment of $110,00 to Francisco Royas Birry, Bogota’s current obdudsman.
Providing his testimony to a special judge in Bogota via videolink from jail in the United States, Guzman said that he met twice with Birry in Bogota in 2008. At the second meeting, Birry allegedly asked Guzman for money “to cover some debts and to pay part of his campaign for the ombudsman of Bogota,” according to Guzman.
Former DMG recruiter, William Suarez, has already testified that he personally delivered the money to Birry in 2008. Guzman’s testimony corroborates this, by confirming that he ordered Suarez to make the delivery.
In his testimony Suarez said, “It hurts me that Mr. Francisco Royas Birry has received $110,000 and has come out to the media saying that he did not receive the money, when I personally gave it to him at his home.”
Ombudsman Birry continues to deny the allegations, replying to the latest testimony saying, “These are contradictions and are subject to investigation, we have elements to detract, but this is part of the process.”
Birry’s trial for allegedly receiving bribes continues in Bogota.