QCOSTARICA — An official document issued by the internal audit department of the Municipality of Mora (Cuidad Colón) warned about overpricing paid by the mayor’s office.
On Wednesday, Judicial authorities arrested the mayor, the vice mayor, and the supplier, following an investigation by the Fiscalía (Prosecutor’s Office).
Specifically, the Prosecutor’s Office indicated that it carried out raids on Rahso S.A., a company providing services, spare parts, and accessories to the municipality.
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The Deputy Prosecutor’s Office for Probity, Transparency and Anti-Corruption ordered the arrest of Jiménez Cascante (mayor), Cabal Lombodorzh (vice mayor) and Chaves Marín, a supplier, “since they are suspected of committing the alleged crimes of irregular payment of contracts, embezzlement and breach of duty.”
The audit of the Municipality of Mora confirmed that “it carried out a study and brought it to the attention of the judicial authorities, which generated the raids and subsequent arrests.”
However, the letter from June 2023 details:
“There have been purchases of goods with prices that apparently exceed those of the market, at least in two types of supplies, specifically tires and grease,” the report states.
Overpricing
1. Various maintenance and repairs for the grader: The report indicates that the Municipality acquired various spare parts, accessories and labor for the municipal grader for an amount of ¢10,085,137 colones.
Among the quoted items is “Faro de Labor”, which was quoted at ¢169,807.80, while another company valued it at ¢59,245.00, meaning that the Municipality paid up to 286% more.
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2. Purchase of tires. The Municipality of Mora made a purchase of two sets of tires for a wagon, plus labor. The total payment was ¢8,066,195 colones.
The audit details that another quote for the same product and service was valued at ¢4,216,000, that is, less than 3 million of what was paid by the Municipality.
In this specific case, the company awarded the services charged ¢700.000 for labor, while the other quoted company, which was not given the service, did not charge for labor.
3. Maintenance for Back Hoe. Another point is that a new contract was awarded by the Municipality of Mora, this time for more than ¢2 million, which includes an oil filter for ₡¢123,000 colones, as well as labor for more than ¢1,200,000
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“The Technical Unit for Road Management in conjunction with the Municipal Supply Department has allowed the payment of an overprice of up to 658% for labor alone,” the Municipal document states.
4. Intervention of vans. The audit report indicates that there is an “abrupt disproportionality” in prices between filters and oils. In a second intervention of the van, the payment of almost ¢120,000 for 4 suspension bolts stands out.
Suspensions requested
The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office reported that it requested the suspension of the mayor, the vice-mayor and the municipal supplier of the municipality.
This suspension is while the investigation against the accused continues, for alleged irregular payments for contracts. The Proseuctor’s Office is also asking for an order that the suspected not to contact witnesses in the process.
Both the mayor and vice-mayor were back at the jobs on Thursday.
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