Former President Tony Saca (ARENA) was arrested after he could not account for several million dollars that he apparently did not earn. The official charges are illicit enrichment, unlawful association and money laundering. From the Associated Press:
Police said six former officials in his government were also arrested. Saca and two of the other suspects were arrested at the wedding of one of Saca’s children.
Prosecutors say the former president has not clarified the origins of $5 million of the $6.5 million in assets he acquired during his time in office.
He declared his fortune at $3.6 million when he took office. Five years later, it had grown to $13.1 million.
But newly surfaced evidence suggests the sums involved could be even larger.
Elmer Charlaix, Saca’s former private secretary and one of those arrested, allegedly had $18.7 million in private bank accounts and prosecutors said he could not explain the origin of the money. He allegedly wrote about $15 million in checks to Saca, other officials and Saca’s party.
Another step in the right direction for El Salvador’s institutions as they now seem to be responding to the demands of their citizens and the international community.
Let’s see if the FMLN now complains that the AG is going after their allies.
