A new case of alleged corruption with public works woke up Costa Ricans this Monday morning. This time, eight municipalities and six of their mayors were arrested as part of 40 simultaneous “operations” (raids) deployed by the Organismo de Investigacion Judicial (OIJ), throughout the country in the case that will be known as Operación Diamante.

For his part, the director of the OIJ, Wálter Espinoza, indicated that the Diamante investigation began in April 2019 and lasted until August 2021.

The prosecutor Calvo indicated that there was the payment of gifts to public officials, among these constructions in houses, cash, vehicles, and other favors that he did not specify.

The first detention, occurring shortly after 7 am, was that of the long time mayor of San José and former presidential candidate, Johnny Araya Monge

By far the better known of the municipal mayors is Johnny Araya, who in addition to being the mayor of the country’s capital for more than two deacdes, also ran a presidential candidate in 2014.

The arrest of Johnny Araya complicates matters for his older brother, Rolando Araya, who is in the middle of his latest presidential campaign.

Johnny and Rolando are nephews of former president Luis Alberto Monge (1982 – 1986).

3 hours ago

https://qcostarica.com/johnny-araya-and-five-other-mayors-arrested-for-alleged-corruption-with-road-works/