Quote:
Originally Posted by BushBaby
(There is also the law of 'You touch me mate & I'll see you in jail when OUR party comes into power' but that is normally swept under the carpet!  !) |
Seriously now, there are laws on the books that punish abuse of power, improper use of funds and assets of the state, etc. However, the above statement by BB sums up the main reason why all these corruption cases are swept under the rug.
Every once in a while, they put on a dog and pony show, and prosecute some of these crooks, but in the end the result is always the same. More recently, I can cite the case of Eligio Jaquez (minister of agriculture during Hipo's administration) and friends, who were prosecuted for rigging a greenhouse program for farmers, so that their friends and relatives all ended up being awarded the greenhouses. The prosecution's attempt to get a conviction was so weak, that it was laughable, so of course they were all acquited. Both sides win, because the crooks get off, and the prosecution makes it seem as if the opossing party is trying to root out corruption.
The most memorable case of all, was that of former president Salvador Jorge Blanco, who was twice convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison for all kinds of corrupt acts attributed to his administration (1982-86). He actually ended up being imprisoned for 2 months, and after a ridiculous number of appeals, was granted a full pardon by Hipo in 2001.
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Laws allowing fiscal abuse
