No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveFormer presidential candidate accused of accepting ‘ghost’ salary

Former presidential candidate accused of accepting ‘ghost’ salary

Board members from the Costa Rican Social Security System, or Caja, this week accused former lawmaker and ex-presidential candidate Walter Muñoz of allegedly receiving ₡23 million ($46,000) in consulting fees from the public health agency between 2002-2004 without performing any work.

Caja officials called for a legal investigation of the case and are seeking to recover the funds, plus ₡15 million ($30,000) in interest. Officials said they found evidence the payments were made, but there is apparently no record of duties or functions carried out by Muñoz.

Caja President Ileana Balmaceda said officials also filed a complained to the Prosecutor’s Office claiming Muñoz failed to pay mandated insurance premiums to the Caja.

Muñoz is a former presidential candidate for the now-defunct National Integration Party, having sought the presidency in 1998, 2002 and 2006. He now heads the National Association of the Insured, a group that is pushing for a referendum on how Caja board members are appointed.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Maintains Economic Stability Amid Global Tensions

Costa Rica is holding steady economically despite global tensions sparked by conflicts involving Israel, the United States, and Iran, according to Federico Quesada Chaves,...

Costa Rica’s Chaves Slams Supreme Court as “National Disgrace” in Corruption Case

On Wednesday, President Rodrigo Chaves didn’t hold back. In his weekly press conference, he slammed the Supreme Court, calling it a “national disgrace” that’s...

Life After MS-13 in El Salvador as Residents Seek a Fragile Peace

Esperanza Martinez lost three relatives who were murdered and saw numerous bodies left in the streets of her neighborhood, a former stronghold of the...

Obesity in Costa Rica: A Growing Health Crisis After 35 Years of Change

Recent studies claim that about one-third of adults in Costa Rica are considered obese and another third overweight. Which means about two-thirds of adults...

Costa Rica’s Congress Expands Organized Crime Probe, Summons Ex-Presidents

Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly is intensifying its investigation into alleged links between public officials and organized crime. Earlier today, the Special Permanent Commission on...

Costa Rica’s Wildlife and the Camera Trap Method That Won Me Over

To change your mind on previously strongly held convictions can be viewed in two different lights. You’re either an open-minded individual that allows new information to...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica