Ex President Calderón sentenced 5 years prison for corruption charges
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
More than 14000 Costa Ricans who were away from TV sets today at 3pm were able to view online the judgment of ex President Rafael Ángel Calderón.
A former Costa Rican president was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison Monday for embezzling funds from a Finnish loan intended for medical equipment for public hospitals.
Rafael Calderon, who was president from 1990-1994, was accused of receiving $520,000 from a 2004 Finnish government loan to Costa Rica’s social security system. He still faces separate corruption charges.
The 60-year-old politician said he would appeal the court decision but is reconsidering a 2010 run for president. He has returned the money and says he received it as payment for consulting work.
“I’m in great shock,” Calderon said. “All we have lost here is a battle but we will continue fighting.”
Reading the verdict on national television, Judge Teresita Rodriguez said there was no proof Calderon did consulting work.
Prosecutors alleged that about $8 million of the $40 million loan, which was meant to buy medical equipment, was split among eight officials and political figures, including Calderon.
Calderón promises that he will appeal his conviction
