The mayor of Mesetas, Meta, captured for alleged improper conclusion of contracts

Due to the alleged irregularities in the conclusion of contracts to attend to the emergency due to the covid-19 pandemic, a court with a guarantee control function in Villavicencio, Meta, ordered the custodial assurance measure in his place of residence to the mayor of Mesetas, Yonier Alfredo Flórez Mendieta.

The Attorney General's Office recently reported that for the same events, two other officials of the municipal administration of Mesetas are being prosecuted. These are Edgar Fernando Batanero Bohórquez, former secretary of planning for Mesetas and Deisy Viviana Olaya Álvarez, current government secretary of the municipality in question.

Likewise, there is a fourth person involved in these events who is also pointed out by the Prosecutor's Office, the one judicialized is the contractor Gerci Dinael Rodríguez Daza.

The Prosecutor's Office charged the three officials of the Mayor's Office of Mesetas, Meta and the individual for crimes of undue interest in the conclusion of contracts, embezzled for appropriation and ideological falsehood in a public document. None of them accepted the charges.

Irregular purchase of markets for vulnerable populations

According to the investigation being carried out by the Attorney General's Office, the alleged irregularities were registered in 2020 with the signing of a contract for 154′002,780 pesos aimed at buying basic markets that would be destined for vulnerable populations; in addition to acquiring logistics to prevent and mitigate health emergency in different institutions.

According to the prosecutor, the work of the judicial police made it possible to establish that the mayor of Mesetas apparently would have benefited from this contract, since before awarding it, he would have contacted and hired the supplier directly.

The investigations further established that other irregularities may have occurred during the performance of the above-mentioned contract.

The Prosecutor's Office noted that many of the markets that were acquired to serve the vulnerable population of the municipality during the health emergency appeared to arrive incomplete in the homes; likewise, apparently not all the families benefiting from this project received the kit; finally, the delivery forms would have relating to several deceased citizens.

The alleged irregularities with this contract would have resulted in a capital detriment of 62'000,000 pesos., as was able to establish the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation.

In addition to the deprivation of liberty for Mayor Yonier Alfredo Flórez Mendieta, the court established the non-custodial measure for Edgar Fernando Batanero Bohorquez, former planning secretary. This person may not approach the municipal mayor's office of Mesetas, or conclude contracts or leave the country while his legal situation is being resolved, in agreement with the accusing body.

Likewise, for Deisy Viviana Olaya Álvarez, current Secretary of Government of Mesetas, the judge denied a request for action, as well as for the contractor Gerci Dinael Rodríguez Daza, who will have to respond to the criminal proceedings in freedom; in addition, he will not be able to conclude contracts with the municipality of Mesetas and will have to pay a fine of five minimum wages laws in force (SMLMV).

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