Political party Cambio Radical asks that a review of public works contracts signed by Bogota Mayor Samuel Moreno be carried out, but not by the city’s comptroller, who is accused of complicity in the alleged corruption in assigning the contracts.
Seven members of the party have claimed that the comptroller is “illegitimate” and should not be allowed to review the disputed contracts.
This request follows allegations that Moreno fraudulently granted of public works contracts to the controversial Nule Group. The company currently has outstanding contracts with both the Bogota and national government for more than $550 million.
Miguel Nule, one of the brothers leading the family company, admitted to Caracol Radio that the Nule Group paid a 6% commission to the Bogota mayor and a 2% commission to the city’s comptroller for every contract that was granted to his company. The transport minister in the last administration of former President Alvaro Uribe also received money from the construction company, the businessman said. “The Bogota mayor and the former minister of transport are either corrupt or inept,” said Nule.
The approval rating of Moreno, who has been criticized for the delay in public works and an increase in crime, plummeted to 25% after less than three years in office. In a press conference Friday, the mayor said he is the victim of a conspiracy to discredit him and asked financial and judicial authorities to investigate allegations of nepotism and corruption.
Elections in Bogota and other Colombian cities will be held in 2011.