Argentina Vice President Sentenced Over Corruption
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
BUENOS AIRES (Worthy News) – Argentina faced more upheaval Wednesday after an Argentine federal court found Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner guilty of corruption.
The court sentenced her to six years in jail for “fraudulent administration” over the awarding of public works contracts to a friend in a case that has shaken South America’s second-largest nation.
Yet Fernández, 69, is unlikely to serve any prison time soon, trial observers said.
She has immunity from her government roles and is expected to launch a lengthy appeals process that could take years.
Fernández was also banned from public office for life but will continue as vice president while the case goes through higher courts.
Businessman Lázaro Báez, the owner of a construction firm accused of being the primary beneficiary of the scheme, was also sentenced to six years in prison.
He had reportedly already been sentenced to 12 years in prison last year for money laundering.
Eleven other people were on trial. Seven were found guilty and sentenced to between three and a half and six years in prison, three were released, and one had their case dismissed.
The case underscored broader concerns about corruption in the nation and South America.
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