Colombia’s inspector general has dismissed the appeal of a former senator convicted of corruption, meaning that he will continue to be banned from holding public office for 15 years, El Espectador reports Monday.
Ex-Senator Alirio Villamizar, who was the Conservative Party’s vice president, was originally arrested in 2009 and sentenced to over nine years in prison on charges of extortion and illegal enrichment.
He was convicted for his role in a notary scandal, in which he used his position and influence arrange the appointment of Dr. Luz Yaneth Rojas Portilla in exchange for a large sum of money, before pressuring her into keeping up payments by cutting salaries.
Prior to his arrest, over $500,000 in cash was discovered stashed in his house.
Inspector General Alejandro Ordoñez dismissed the latest appeal, ensuring that Villamizar will remain barred from holding public office for 15 years.
