A former FMLN deputy's daughter was also convicted. Responding to this, Beena said that they will appeal against the sentence.
The First Civil Chamber of the First Division of the Center of San Salvador declared former representative Lorena Pena guilty of illegal enrichment; The same decision was made regarding Ana Virginia Cordado Peña, daughter of the former official.
In Lorena's case, the Chamber found $133,746.60 in illegal enrichment, while $17,016.26 in the daughter's, for a total of $150,762.86. The amount should be reimbursed to the government.
“The First Civil Chamber of the First Division of the Center of San Salvador evaluated the evidence provided by @FGR_SV and demonstrated that both defendants could not justify the increase in their assets and the legal origin of the money. This sentence disqualifies Peña from holding any public office for the next 10 years,” the attorney said. General Office (FGR) said.
Also Read: Investigation held against Lorena Pena and her daughter for alleged enrichment
The two were accused by the prosecutor's office of illegally enriching themselves with $277,482.54 from state funds, but they made $126,719.68 disappear, according to their lawyer.
“Peña is charged with irregularities in cash bank deposits, acquisition of two properties and credit card payments totaling $140,521.57. Her daughter is being sued for discrepancies in cash bank deposits and credit card payments totaling $136,960.94,” the prosecutor's office explained in a tweet shortly before the verdict.
Edition of ex-parte
For his part, their lawyer said the ruling was partly in their favor because the amount of money the prosecutor's office claimed was illegal enrichment was greatly reduced. He announced that he would appeal against the sentence.
When asked about the punishment, Lorena Peña replied: “It is a political punishment. My daughter is accused of paying 17 thousand dollars from the North American company where she works, and the same company sent the documents. In my case, the remaining 133 thousand FMLN is ten years in the Secretariat of Culture. 120 thousand worked, not the government, this is the expense account of that secretariat, this is not my personal account, they did it themselves. They say in their allegations that I bought the land worth 11 thousand dollars, which I paid for more than 14 years, in spite of having the sale agreement and receipts. There is no mention of misappropriation of public funds in the charge against the NGO, however, they reprimand me to “return” the amount and disqualify me for ten years.
