A judge orders the seizure of nearly $160 million worth of assets from the Colombian conglomerate Nule Group, which is caught up in a corruption scandal involving Bogota officials, Caracol Radio reported Tuesday.
Judge Ibarra made the first decision of the Colombian justice system against the collapsed Nule group by ordering that four bank accounts and nine pieces of real estate be seized from Guido, Manuel and Miguel Nule.
This decision, made March 9, 2011, is in response to an appeal made by Colombian Comptroller Sandra Morelli after courts had denied the same precautionary measures against the Nule Group December 13, 2010.
The $25 million worth of assets to be seized is value estimated by the comptroller to be the possible detriment caused by the Nule Group to the state.
Last week Morelli announced her intention to seize all international assets of Nule Group as investigations continue into the business conglomerate’s corruption scandal.
Information released March 11 seemingly supports claims that the Nule Group fraudulently filed for bankruptcy in order to sue the state for $256 million. Additionally, Colombia’s tax authorities DIAN have filed a complaint against the group for failing to provide $2.68 million in owed tax.
The Nule cousins currently reside in the U.S. but Morelli has requested that they return to Colombia so proceedings can continue at a faster pace.