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Judi Lynn

(160,451 posts)
Thu Apr 9, 2020, 02:30 PM Apr 2020

Colombia's great coronavirus heist: Part 1 Let the robbing begin

Colombia’s great coronavirus heist: Part 1 | Let the robbing begin
by Adriaan Alsema April 9, 2020

Colombia’s comptroller general said Wednesday that watchdog entities found evidence that $20 million (COP80,000million) meant to confront the coronavirus pandemic has been embezzled.

In an interview with RCN Radio, Comptroller General Carlos Felipe Cordoba said that his office, the prosecution and the Inspector General’s Office found irregularities in some of the 37,000 contracts that have been granted to combat the crisis.

The irregularities would have taken place in the two weeks after President Ivan Duque announced major investments in healthcare and poverty prevention.

Let’s steal from the poor!

Cordoba found, among other things, “inflated costs in contracts signed by mayors and governors in different areas of the country, which we are monitoring to prevent them from making a killing of such a pandemic.”

More:
https://colombiareports.com/colombias-great-coronavirus-heist-part-1-let-the-robbing-begin/

Also posted at Editorials and other articles:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016251871

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Colombia's great coronavirus heist: Part 1 Let the robbing begin (Original Post) Judi Lynn Apr 2020 OP
That sounds... Newest Reality Apr 2020 #1
I was confused, too, thinking it sounds strangely familiar. Judi Lynn Apr 2020 #2
I don't know... Newest Reality Apr 2020 #3
Colombia's great coronavirus heist: Part 2 Government sent $660,000 to ghost accounts Judi Lynn Apr 2020 #4
Colombia's great coronavirus heist: Part 3 the farmers' credits Judi Lynn Apr 2020 #5

Newest Reality

(12,712 posts)
1. That sounds...
Thu Apr 9, 2020, 02:36 PM
Apr 2020

That sounds vaguely familiar...

Oh, no, our IG's are getting sacked. It just seemed reminiscent and kind of slushy.

We may not even have to even worry about pesky oversight, because Big Bother will be deciding and so, no problem.

Judi Lynn

(160,451 posts)
2. I was confused, too, thinking it sounds strangely familiar.
Thu Apr 9, 2020, 03:36 PM
Apr 2020

What could I be thinking?

How did we ever get so suspicious?

The great ####gibbon will be working hard to make sure every atom of that money goes to the right place.

Newest Reality

(12,712 posts)
3. I don't know...
Thu Apr 9, 2020, 03:40 PM
Apr 2020

Where do we get these silly ideas? Maybe its the stress from the pandemic? Yeah, it's affecting our judgement now.

Who knows?

Judi Lynn

(160,451 posts)
4. Colombia's great coronavirus heist: Part 2 Government sent $660,000 to ghost accounts
Thu Apr 16, 2020, 02:32 AM
Apr 2020

by Adriaan Alsema April 15, 2020

Colombia’s government transferred coronavirus emergency stipends of $41 to 16,000 ghost accounts, the country’s National Registrar said Tuesday.

This would mean the National Planning Department (DNP) misallocated at least $660,000 in emergency funds that were meant to help the poor through an ongoing quarantine.

After citizens found that money had been sent to ghost accounts, The DNP closed the portal where people could verify if they were granted a stipend, claiming “there was an anomaly that is being overcome.”

In an interview with Semana columnist Vicky Davila, National Registrar Alexander Vega said his office was still investigating the biggest scandal involving disappearing aid funds so far.

More:
https://colombiareports.com/colombias-great-coronavirus-heist-part-2-government-sent-660000-to-ghost-accounts/

Judi Lynn

(160,451 posts)
5. Colombia's great coronavirus heist: Part 3 the farmers' credits
Sat Apr 25, 2020, 12:08 AM
Apr 2020

by Adriaan Alsema April 24, 2020

Colombia’s Comptroller General’s Office blocked emergency credit payments meant for farmers, claiming that 90% of the funds went to major agricultural firms.

The suspension made “Colombia Agro Produce” the second emergency aid program decreed by the government of President Ivan Duque to be put on hold due to fraud suspicions.

A program to deliver emergency stipends to Colombia’s poorest inhabitants was also put on hold leaving 1,8 million of 3 million people starving, according to weekly Semana.

The Colombia Agro Produce scandal put Agriculture Minister Rodolfo Zea in a tight spot as much as similar irregularities with the “Agro Ingreso Seguro” put his predecessor Andres Felip Arias in prison.

More:
https://colombiareports.com/colombias-great-coronavirus-heist-part-3-the-farmers-credits/
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