Colombia’s supreme court opened a preliminary investigation against more than 150 politicians and government officials who are accused of bartering political support for government contracts.
The court had been sitting on the case since 2013 when opposition Senator Ernesto Macias (Democratic Center) revealed the “Palace Computer” files that allegedly contained the shadow administration of President Juan Manuel Santos.
The files allegedly demonstrate which congressman or regional politician received which government job or public works contract.
According to some local media, as many as 230 government officials and lawmakers are suspected of having received bribes bribes to approve legislation introduced by the Santos administration.
Blu Radio reported that the court will also investigate the alleged use of $1.5 billion in government contracts to secure the support of regional clans in the 2014 elections.
‘Corrupt Colombian congressmen received $1.5B in tax money for elections’
The bribes consisted of public works contracts, government jobs and other political favors, also called “marmalade” in Colombia.
Prosecutor General Nestor Humberto Martinez (Radical Change) and Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo (Liberal Party) are among the officials who reportedly managed the Palace Computer accounts.
Fifty sitting members of congress are reportedly among the suspects.
Whether formal charges will be filed depends on Supreme Court Justice Eyder Patiño, who ordered to investigate the veracity of the shadow administration.
Macias said in 2015 that the court would investigate the accusations, but no action was taken until December last year, the opposition senator told Blu Radio.
According to multiple news reports, much of the legislation of the ongoing peace process in Colombia failed in Congress because Santos had run out of funds to secure lawmakers’ approval.
The use of slush funds is one of the most common and problematic forms of government corruption in Colombia.
Two ministers of former President Alvaro Uribe were imprisoned for bribing Congress into changing the constitution to allow Uribe’s 2006 reelection run.
Their “marmalade” consisted of notary offices that were offered to coerce congressmen.