Salvadoran president Antonio Saca (2004-2009) declared himself innocent of the charges of illegal association, embezzlement and money laundering committed by allegedly diverting 246 million dollars from public funds to private accounts.
Saca, his private, former secretaries, Elmer Charlaix, Julio Rank and César Funes, were accused on October 31st before the Fourth Court of Peace of San Salvador.
Pablo Gómez, Francisco Rodríguez and Jorge Alberto Arteaga Herrera, collaborators of former President Elias Antonio Saca, and even employees of the Presidency, were arrested on October 30th.
According to Attorney General Douglas Meléndez, these people operated a structure within the Presidency to transfer 246 million dollars to 14 personal accounts which belonged to Charlaix, Rodríguez and Gómez. They subsequently withdrew 116 million dollars in cash, of which 6 million were laundered.
If they are sent to trial and are convicted, the defendants could receive up to maximum jail terms: 12 years for embezzlement, 18 years for illegal association and 15 years for money laundering.