Oral proceedings begin in Valparaíso for PGE fraud case

VALPARAÍSO.- After 0a delay of eight days, the first day of oral proceedings has begun in Valparaíso concerning the misuse of funds belonging to the Programs for Employment Generation (PGE) to finance political campaigns.

The Oral Criminal Court of Valparaíso will have to determine the extent to which the following individuals are accountable: Deputy Laura Soto (PPD), who has been stripped of parliamentary immunity; her daughter and Valparaíso advisor, Marisol Paniagua; her former son in law, Uziel Valle; her chief of cabinet, Luis Gatica; her ex campaign manager, Cristián Garrido; former Labor Secretariat José Manuel Mancilla, as well as hired officials Luis and Sergio Vargas.

The defendants are facing charges of having planned and executed instances of public fraud and swindling.

 he Public Prosecutor is asking for a prison sentence of five years for Mancilla, Soto, Paniagua, Gatica, Garrido and Valle, while a sentence of 541 days has been petitioned for the two hired officials. Meanwhile, the State Defense Council is asking for a sentence of five years and one day for Mancilla, Deputy Soto, and Uziel Valle.