Accused leader of Guatemala corruption ring turns himself in

Author: the associated press
Published:
MGN

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) – Juan Carlos Monzon Rojas, the alleged leader of a customs corruption scandal that has rocked the Guatemalan government, turned himself into authorities, officials said Monday.

The International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala confirmed that Monzon Rojas turned himself in on Sunday night. A Guatemala judge had set a hearing for Monzon Rojas early Monday.

Monzon Rojas, the personal secretary of former Vice President Roxana Baldetti, is accused by authorities of being the head of corruption ring, known as “La Linea,” in which businesses allegedly paid kickbacks to government officials in exchange for lower import duties. It is believed that the scheme bilked the government of millions of dollars.

The scandal so far has caused former President Otto Perez Molina and Baldetti to resign. Both are jailed and are facing charges for allegedly receiving the illegal payments. Prosecutors and the international commission have said Perez Molina and Baldetti were fully aware of the scheme received half of the kickbacks paid.

A judge has frozen their bank accounts.

Some 40 people are being prosecuted in connection with the case, while more than 100 are under investigation. The international commission has said there are at least 88,000 wiretaps and thousands of documents confirming their involvement.

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