Celi: “The audit on Green Rice includes the last campaign of PAIS”

Ecuadornews:

The general comptroller of the State reported that two exams are advancing due to the Arroz Verde case.

The Comptroller General of the surrogate State, Pablo Celi, informed that the two examinations that the institution initiated for the so-called “Arroz Verde” case are progressing. And he specified that this audit, which is about the party and electoral funds of the PAIS movement, also includes the last electoral campaign of President Lenin Moreno.

“It includes all the PAIS party activity, both state funds and those from other sources that have been invested in the campaigns of the movement,” said Celi, who preferred not to advance a date in which he hopes the two exams are ready .

The other test is the National Electoral Council, on the procedure exercised for the control of party and electoral funds of the ruling group and the rest of political organizations. This audit, said the comptroller, is already working within the electoral body.

Celi’s pronouncement comes days after a new journalistic delivery of the portal ‘La Fuente’ revealed that the campaign of President Moreno received private funds from some companies and also public, which should have been destined for the reconstruction of Manabí and Esmeraldas, then of the earthquake of April 2016. So far no government official has issued a comment on this new delivery of the website.

On another issue, Celi said that a preliminary examination on medicines had been completed by the Ministry of Public Health, a review that indicates indications of criminal responsibility on former government officials. “There are several exams on the current minister’s term,” the comptroller said.

The Minister of Health, Verónica Espinosa, who has been in office since former President Rafael Correa, is accused of suspicious failure to perform duties due to the purchase of medicines and supplies in poor condition, signing of fraudulent contracts and abuse of public funds. The independent assembly member, Mae Montaño, picked up 35 signatures of support from her colleagues to request the start of the impeachment against her. (I)

Source: https://www.expreso.ec/actualidad/pabloceli-arrozverde-auditoria-examenes-IA2882479