Medical professionals and lawyers accused Colombian workplace insurance companies (ARPs) of illegally pocketing just under $550 million, Caracol Radio reported Tuesday.
According to the one of the complainants German Fernandez, a former director one such company, at least 11 workplace insurance companies have diverted $548 million. The money was paid by Colombian companies to be insured for work related accidents and illnesses.
Fernandez has filed a civil lawsuit with the High Court of Cundinamarca department against the Financial Superintendent for ignoring this embezzlement which he says has been going on for 12 years.
“The Financial Superintendent tended to keep the exact figure of the amount of public funds diverted by certain companies under wraps” said Fernandez. Tuesday is the deadline for closing arguments in this case.
The Financial Superintendent said that it would review the case while the Colombian Medical Federation and Senator Jorge Robledo have announced their support for the civil law suit.