The National Commission of Ethics of the political party Polo Democratico has made the decision to “publicly and definitively” eject suspended Bogota Mayor Samuel Moreno from the party, Colombian media reported Wednesday.
The decision was made as part of an internal disciplinary process which began in November 2010. The commission was of the opinion that the conduct of Moreno “goes against the aims, principles and duties laid down” in the code of ethics and the constitution of the political party.
Through a press release, Polo Democratico said that Moreno, being elected as the mayor of Bogota, “was entrusted with serious and unavoidable commitments to the citizens, the electorate and the party which endorsed him,” which he unfortunately defrauded by putting private interests before the interest of the inhabitants of the capital.
“Taking into account the importance and the responsibility implicated with the position to which he was elected, not governing in accordance with… the policies and orientations of the party, Samuel Moreno Rojas, in alliance with parties which have an ideology contrary to that of our own, caused serious damage to the public image of Polo Democratico.”
Moreno was suspended from his post as Bogota mayor in May after alleged irregularities in the awarding of public works contracts to the Nule Group, which has also been indicted. Moreno was charged with fraudulent contracting, embezzlement and extortion.