URUGUAY EX-DEPUTY CONVICTED OF USURPATION OF FUNCTIONS
In a swift summary trial, a former Uruguayan deputy was charged with the crime of usurpation of functions on Wednesday night and sentenced to six months in prison, with the sentence suspended in favor of probation and community service.
The former deputy, Dos Santos, will have to serve two months of community service as part of the punishment.
Following the trial, Dos Santos addressed the press, expressing her sadness and hurt at the outcome. "I am very sad and very hurt by all this," she said. "All I have done was work for my people. If I did things that went beyond my duties as a deputy, it was simply because of this desire to work for my people."
She also emphasized her commitment to ensuring people’s rights and addressing problems that transcended national or departmental boundaries, stating that she worked closely with the mayor to achieve this goal.
MAYOR AND ASSOCIATES CONVICTED OF FRAUD
On Tuesday, the mayor of Artigas, Pablo Caram, was also convicted in an abbreviated trial for failure by public officials to report acts with the appearance of a crime in public administration, related to irregular overtime payments in the municipality.
The mayor’s cousin, Rodolfo Caram, head of the municipality, and his wife were also charged and convicted of fraud, alongside the mayor. All four defendants were sentenced to prison terms, which will be served on probation with community service.
