Councillors in Riobamba approve removal of Mayor

Riobamba Mayor, Juan Salazar Lopez

After five hours of intense debate in the city of Riobamba, last Monday night, the cantonal council in session ordered to analyse the case of diversion of council funds, more than $ 13 million for an alleged attack of hackers. At 22h40 it was decided to begin a process of removal from office of the mayor, Juan Salazar Lopez.

The mayor reported last April 12 the theft of $ 13,308,261 Municipality’s account at the Central Bank, through a cyber attack. However, the Central Bank of Ecuador said it is due to the passwords misuse of city officials, who, through administrative rulings delivered by three other people.

The councillors Erika Salazar and Jose Aldaz, Audit Commission, presented a text of the first report in which it was requested to start the process of removing the mayor.

After this report nine of eleven councillors voted to undertake this process. On the other hand, unanimously resolved to remove from office the financial director Fanny Lazo and begin administrative proceedings to other officials involved in the case.