COrruption

Cops charge ex-official with selling a verdict

Police sweep in and make arrest during confrontation at restaurant this morning as plaintiff and suspect argued.

GABRIEL RODRÍGUEZ/LA PRENSA

Cash Court:Police charged a former justice official with extorting money in exchange for a favorable verdict Tuesday.951274

Blas "Toto" Velásquez, a former advisor at the Ministerio de Justicia under Winston Spadafora, was arrested yesterday following accusations of allegedly asking for money in exchange for influencing a court decision.

The arrest was made during an incident involving another person in a restaurant on Via Argentina.

Witnesses said that a woman with court documents in hand had been accusing Velásquez of extortion just minutes before police arrived.

Dolores Guerra, the person identified as arguing with Velásquez in the restaurant, filed a complaint with the Ministerio Público against the former adviser, who was taken into custody last night at the Bella Vista Police Station.

Guerra, who is involved in a pending land dispute, said in her complaint that Velásquez sought money as a guarantee that the ruling would be in her favor.

Originally, Guerra had reported the plot to officials at the Asemblea Nacional, but she was advised to go to the MP since there were no indications linking any minister to the case, explained Pedro Miguel González, president of the Asamblea.

On leaving the court around 8:30 p.m., Guerra said only that she had submitted a complaint about corruption and was waiting for justice.

Velásquez spoke to the press last night at police headquarters and proclaimed his innocence. He said he went to the restaurant at the request of Guerra.

An MP source confirmed last night that Guerra gave a sworn declaration and that the investigation is related to the possible sale of a legal decision.