The Colombian consul in New York, Elsa Gladys Cifuentes, has been charged for alleged embezzling of funds and abuse of power, according to Colombia’s W Radio.
The head of Colombia’s Internal Disciplinary Control of Foreign Relations, Carlos Alberto Rodríguez, has laid three charges categorized as severe and willful tittle misconduct against the Colombian consul in the exercise of her official functions.
The investigation began when it came to the attention of authorities that a former employee of the consil continued to receive money even though she had finished her contract, according to Radio La W.
The consul also allegedly allowed for the use of corporate images and logos of Laudum Education Institute, promoting the company’s activities, which the consul was supposedly benefiting from personally.
Furthermore the consul purportedly spent public funds on private matters.
The defense lawyer of consul Cifuentes have requested for annulment of the case, stating that no constitutional or legal rules have been violated.
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The consul Elsa Gladys Cifuentes was earlier this year convicted of bias political participation, when she promoted certain congressional candidates in the upcoming Colombian congress election on social networking sites.
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She was suspended from electoral functions, but continued her other consular duties.