The Public Prosecutor formally presented charges against Ofelia Taitelbaum, former Ombudsman, for offenses of misrepresentation, coercion, use of false documents and embezzlement.
Taitelbaum, who resigned in 2014 amid controversy, was denounced by a seamstress in the north, who struggled to get insurance in the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS).
After investigating why she could not benefit from social insurance, the woman filed a complaint with the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), because she found that she appeared -without her consent- as a consultant in a company linked to Taitelbaum.
According to the Deputy Prosecution on Probity, Transparency and Anticorruption, the case against the Taitelbaum was referred to the Criminal Court of Finance last November 15th with request for trial.
Specifically, Taitelbuam was charged with 104 offenses: 39 for possible misrepresentation, 2 for possible coercion, 39 for allegedly using false documents and 24 for apparent embezzlement.
The seamstress, named Otárola, allegedly received ¢ 32 million from that company over a period of 5 years. However, she said that she had never received any money, so she never declared it.
Before the case, the Directorate General of Taxation of the Ministry of Finance opened an investigation on the companies linked to the former official.
Taitelbaum, 67, was a legislator (2006-2010) and Deputy Minister of Finance (1986-1990).