DIFFERENT ANGLE by Kenneth Rijock
The case, which was originally touted as the wave of the future in combating PEP corruption in Latin America, has been dropped . Corruption charges against the widow, four adult children, and ten close associates, of deceased Chilean dictator, General Augusto Pinochet Ugarte have been dismissed by the Chilean court of appeals. Was this really a triumph of the rule of law in Chile, or is Pinochet's lingering influence still being felt after his death? And why hasn't the United States Department of Justice ever indicted these individuals for money laundering through American banks?
- The indictment was fundamentally flawed because the the investigative judge failed to question the family members and former associates before charging them with a crime.
- The family members could not be charged with misuse of government funds, because they were never government employees/
Was the presiding judge biased against the defendants? We cannot say, but the appellate court ruling has definitely impacted any real progress in fighting PEP corruption in Latin America. Perhaps the Chilean prosecutors should look to bring charges against these individuals that will stick, like money laundering.
We would also like to know why the United States Justice Department never charged any Riggs Bank officers or directors, or Pinochet family members and close Pinochet associates, with money laundering.
The facts and opinions stated in this article are those of the author and not those of World-Check. World-Check does not warrant the accuracy of any facts and opinions stated in this article, does not endorse them, and accepts no responsibility for them.
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