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Former Guatemalan Vice President Roxana Baldetti sentenced to prison in 'Magic Water' scandal

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 10 Oct 2018

Former Guatemalan Vice President Roxana Baldetti sentenced to prison in 'Magic Water' scandal

Guatemala City: Disgraced former Guatemalan Vice President Roxana Baldetti has been sentenced to 15- and -half years in prison after a national court found her guilty in the 'Magic Water' scandal.

The scandal involved cleaning up the Amatitlán Lake, where millions were embezzled in a botched up operation.

The chemicals used in the decontamination process were a mixture of water, salt and chlorine.

The court has also sentenced Mario, Baldetti's brother, to 13 years in jail, as he negotiated the whole deal, despite holding no official post.

Several others, including Israeli businessman Uri Roitman, too have been indicted.

Baldetti, who became the first female Vice President of Guatemala, after she resumed office in 2012, was forced to resign in 2015 following a massive protest.

She is also awaiting another trial along with former President Otto Perez Molina.

Both have been named by prosecutors of accepting bribes from private companies.

However, both Molina and Baldetti have denied the allegations.


Image: twitter.com/Sonny_Figueroa