Suspended Bogota Mayor Samuel Moreno, who is currently in prison during his corruption trial, accepted money from the notorious and now-defunct Cali Cartel in the 1990’s, according to the former security chief for the drug gang.
According to Jorge Salcedo, known as “the man who brought down the Cali Cartel” for cooperating with the DEA in the 90’s, in an interview with newspaper El Tiempo, Moreno received money from the leaders of the Cali Cartel in 1995 when he was still a congressman.
Salcedo explained that one night in mid-1995, he and then-Congressman Moreno were waiting to speak to Miguel and Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela, the leaders of the cartel. He saw Moreno go in to talk to the brothers, and although Salcedo did not actually see Moreno accept money, he saw the initials “S” and “M” in Miguel’s checkbook.
Salcedo was the head of security for the cartel leaders for six years and was considered a close and trusted employee. However, he began to cooperate with the DEA after his bosses ordered him to organize a hit on the cartel’s accountant.
Salcedo and his family remain in hiding in the United States, living under assumed names.
The new allegation adds to the long list of corruption accusations against Moreno, who was suspended from his post as Bogota mayor in early May after alleged irregularities in the awarding of public works contracts.
According to prosecutors, Moreno could face a 10-15 year prison sentence if he is found guilty for the public works scandal.