Caja-Fischel Trial
Ends, Verdict Expected In Two Weeks
The Caja-Fischel trial is finally over.
Yesterday, former Costa Rican president,
Rafael Ángel Calderón (1990-1994), addressed
the Tribunal for the first time, before the
three judges closed the hearing phase of the
trial, saying a verdict will be handed down
on Monday, October 5, at 2:30pm.
The trial has been on going for more than 10
months, as Calderón and seven others face
charges of emebezzlement and fraud, among
others, in the Caja Costarricense de Seguro
Social (CCSS) or Caja purchase of medical
equipment brokered by the Corporación
Fischel, the largest pharmacy chain in Costa
Rica.
The charged include Walter Reiche, former
president of the Fischel and Eliseo vargas,
former president of the CCSS.
The ministerio Público accuses the eight for
misappropriation of funds from a us$39
million dollar loan from the government of
Finland for the CCSS purchase, medical
equipment that for the most part has never
worked and not necessary.
Calderón is accused of have received payment
for his services in a plan that was hatched
by Vargas while he was a legislator and then
put into action years later when he was
appointed president of the CCSS.
The evidence and testimony presented during
the trial is the movement of funds by
Calderón through a Panamanian corporation
and others, through the former president and
the others accused.
The court heard testimony of how Sultana
Panamá, that involved Calderón, received
us$400.000 in payments from Harcourt Holding
in Costa Rica, property of Walter Reiche and
the movement of additional funds from
various accounts.
The scandal was discovered when Vargas was
found living in a luxurious home in the
prestigious neighbourhood of Lindora de
Santa Ana, the house having been paid for by
the Fischel.
An investigation by the Organismo de
Investigación Judicial (OIJ) resulted in the
detention and charges of eight: Rafael Angel
Calderón, Walter Reiche, Eliseo Vargas,
Gerardo Bolaños (former director of the CCSS),
Juan Carlos Sánchez (former manager of
modernization for the CCSS), Olman Valverde
(former financial director of the Fischel),
Marvin Barrantes (former manager of the
Fischel), and, Randall Vargas (former lawyer
for the Fischel).
Reiche said at the closing of the trial
yesterday that he has always spoken the
truth and has never lied in explaining his
role and the role of the other accused in
the case.
Reiche's testimony was damaging to the other
seven accused, especially to Calderón, and
is believed to have made a deal with the
ministerio Público for a lower sentence in
trade for his testimony. Reiche faces, on
the recommendation of the prosecutor, four
years prison, while Calderón and others up
to 23 years.
Calderón told the court that no evidence of
any illegal activity on his part was brought
forth and that he acted in good faith in
providing his consulting services, similar
to other high profile policitians, naming
former president, José María Figueres* Olsen
and others, having received consulting fees.
Calderón is also the presidential candidate
for the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC)
making his bid to be re-elected president in
2010.
The three judge panel closed the hearings at
the end of the day yesterday, deliberating
the evidence and testimony.
* Figueres has refused to come to Costa
Rica to answer questions on his involvement
after admitting receiving some us$900.000 in
consulting fees after he left the
presidency. Figueres is also a Swiss
national and is currently living in
Switzerland. |
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