By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Former El Salvador president Elías Antonio “Tony” Saca has been released from prison after completing a 10 year sentence for corruption.
Saca, 61, walked out of a courthouse on Thursday alongside his lawyer, Mario Machado, who confirmed his release.
Saca pleaded guilty to diverting and laundering more than US$300 million from the state budget during his presidency from 2004 to 2009. A plea deal reduced what could have been a 30 year sentence to 10 years.
He was sentenced in 2018, but his prison term was backdated to 2016, when he was arrested at his son’s wedding.
According to Reuters, Machado said Saca served the full term without receiving any early release benefits. “The 10 years were completed,” he said.
Prosecutors had alleged that Saca used state funds for personal gain and to benefit his allies, including sending large sums to his political party. In separate civil proceedings, he was ordered to repay millions of dollars to the state.
Saca is one of four former Salvadoran presidents to face corruption charges, but the only one to serve prison time. Mauricio Funes and Salvador Sánchez Cerén fled to Nicaragua, while Francisco Flores died before his trial began.
The post Former El Salvador president Tony Saca freed after serving 10 years for corruption appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Former El Salvador president Elías Antonio “Tony” Saca has been released from prison after completing a 10 year sentence for corruption. Saca, 61, walked out of a courthouse on Thursday alongside his lawyer, Mario Machado, who confirmed his release. Saca pleaded guilty to diverting and laundering more than US$300
The post Former El Salvador president Tony Saca freed after serving 10 years for corruption appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.