Truth Commission: Colombia needs radical policy changes to...
Colombia’s controversial moment of truth
At least 49 dead after ‘prison break attempt’...
Colombia’s incoming government begins “total peace” offensive
Colombia investigating bullfighting tragedy
Petro’s first moves to restructure Colombia’s government
Petro and Duque meet over transition of power...
Colombia confronts former FARC chiefs with suffering kidnapping...
Colombia hears former guerrilla chiefs over mass kidnappings
Petro’s quest for a majority in Colombia’s Congress
  • About
  • Support
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion
News

Defendants miss start of corruption scandal hearing

by Hannah Aronowitz April 5, 2011

Colombia news - ais

Three former government officials were missing from their hearing, as prosecutors began their case against persons involved in the Agro Ingreso Seguro (AIS) corruption scandal, El Espectador reports.

The former secretary general of the Ministry of Agriculture Juan David Ortega Arroyave, former director of Rural Development Javier Enrique Romero and former general manager of the Colombian Institute for Rural Development Rodolfo Jose Campo Soto were all absent from the hearing, which the prosecution has called one of the most serious cases of corruption in history, reported La FM.

The AIS subsidy program was originally designed under the administration of Alvaro Uirbe to support small scale agriculture projects for rural families. However, it came to light in 2009 that millions of dollars of public funds intended for the poor had ended up in the hands of the wealthiest farming families in the country.

Seven officials who belonged to the Ministry of Agriculture, are currently under investigation for issuing contracts without complying with legal requirements, misrepresentation, embezzlement and fraud, among other charges.

In February, Colombia’s comptroller general ordered the seizure of assets belonging to ex-Agricultural Ministers Andres Felipe Arias and Andres Dario Fernandez while investigations continue.

agriculturecorruptionjustice

Trending

  • Petro’s quest for a majority in Colombia’s Congress

  • The peaceful revolution of Colombia’s “nobodies”

  • Colombia hears former guerrilla chiefs over mass kidnappings

Related articles

  • Colombia’s first lady, slush funds and organized crime

  • The alleged corruption of runner-up in Colombia’s election race

  • Colombia investigates registrar over election chaos

  • RSS

@2008-2019 - Colombia Reports. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Digitale Zaken and Parrolabs


Back To Top