Police from the PDI’s Anti-Corruption Brigade seized 12 computers from the Peñalolén Municipality on Monday morning as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged public fraud and forgery, according to latercera.com.
The operation, ordered by the Metropolitan East Prosecutor's Office, targets former mayor Carolina Leitao and three other former municipal officials. Detectives took the equipment to review email communications related to the case.
The investigation follows a criminal complaint filed by the current mayor, Miguel Concha, against Leitao and former officials Patricio Escobar, Tamara Rubio, and Juan Pino Melo. The legal action stems from an external audit that revealed a massive fiscal deficit between 2021 and 2024.
According to the complaint, the officials allegedly implemented a mechanism to defraud the municipality of approximately $12.223 billion pesos. The outlet reported that the scheme involved inflating revenues to increase spending and misappropriating nearly $2 billion pesos from the Urban Improvement Program (PMU), which funds parks, lighting, and roads.
Investigation into fiscal deficit
Mayor Concha praised the speed of the prosecutor's office following the seizure. "Today the PDI, by instruction of the Public Ministry, has carried out these diligences and seized 12 computers that would be linked to the matters under investigation," Concha said.
Concha noted that the equipment was handed over voluntarily and without impediment. He emphasized the financial impact on the local government, stating, "Finding ourselves with a deficit of at least $12 billion is a situation that has us in an economic and financial crisis."
Prosecutor Juan Pablo Araya confirmed the voluntary nature of the procedure, noting that the investigation concerns facts that occurred during Leitao's administration. He declined to provide further details, stating the matters are currently reserved.
Leitao, a former deputy, issued a statement defending her actions and disputing the allegations. She clarified that the seizure was not a raid but a standard part of the investigative process.
"As a lawyer, I can point out that this is not a raid nor a seizure ordered by a judge, but rather a voluntary delivery," Leito stated. She added that her computer was returned when she left office in 2024.
Leitao maintained her innocence, saying, "When the time comes, I will have the opportunity to disprove each of the imputations made against me. I am at peace because I am convinced I acted correctly, responsibly, and in accordance with the law."
She also criticized the current administration's communication strategy, suggesting the claims of lost funds were part of an intentional effort to discredit her management.
