It was about two in the afternoon Monday when officials of the Ministerio Público (Public Prosecutor) raided the offices of the Consejo Nacional de Concesiones (National Tender Board).
Investigators were looking for and seized documents relating to a complaint filed by a citizen last Monday, alleging at San José – San Ramón road concession contract violates at least five criminal acts.
According to a Ministerio Publico press released, the investigation is currently focusing on alleged breach of duties and that in the raid, officials took away some 200 boxes of documents related to the case.
Opponents to the US$530 million dollar contract awarded to the Brazilian company, OAS, claim a number of irregularities with the award of the contract.
Since the contract award was made public by the government two weeks ago, Presidenta Laura Chinchilla and Transport Minister Pedro Castro, have come under fire. Opposition to the contract is now more than just a group of citizens from San Ramón and surrounding areas.
Luis Fishman, legislator for the PUSC party, is the latest to join the opposition, filing a case before the Constitutional Court, alleging violation of Article 185 of the country’s Political Constitution.
The Comisión de Ingreso y Gasto Público (Legislative committee on income and public spending) has called Minister Castro, Edwin Rodriguez, director of Concesiones and Marta Acosta, the Comptroller General, to appear.
