The sexual harassment case that has dominated the final weeks of Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly reached its final stage on Friday, though with an uncertain outcome. The special commission that investigated the complaint against Deputy Fabricio Alvarado presented three final reports: two recommending sanctions against the Nueva República lawmaker, and a third that clears him of responsibility.
The reports recommending sanctions were signed by Social Christian deputy Alejandro Pacheco — who chaired the commission — and independent deputy Johana Obando, while the third was presented by Alvarado’s own bench colleague, Olga Morera. The argument for not recommending a sanction is that the case is already moving through the criminal courts.
A case with high stakes
The investigation stems from a complaint filed by former deputy Marulín Azofeifa, who has alleged a series of inappropriate acts that occurred during the previous four-year term, when she held a Nueva República seat. According to her testimony, the alleged misconduct began in late 2017 when she was a candidate, continued during her time as a deputy, and persisted while she served as a legislative advisor for the party led by Alvarado. The conduct she described includes attempted kisses without consent, unwanted approaches, and inappropriate touching.
Alvarado declined to testify before the commission on Thursday — the last scheduled testimony in the proceeding. His refusal moved the commission directly into the oral conclusions phase before the reports were drafted.
A tight legislative calendar
The clock is now the central issue. Legislative Assembly President Rodrigo Arias refused a request from the commission for a 15-day extension, forcing the investigation to close out on the original deadline.
Ombudsman Angie Cruickshank had previously written to Arias warning of the risk that the case might not be resolved in time, recommending that the assembly take the necessary steps to ensure procedural continuity before the change in legislative composition on May 1.
The three reports will now be forwarded to the Legislative Assembly’s Directorate, which will set a date for the plenary to review them. The current assembly wraps up its work on April 28, leaving a narrow window for a plenary vote.
What’s at stake
Alvarado faces an administrative sanction through this legislative process, while a parallel criminal complaint filed by Azofeifa continues to move forward. If the plenary fails to vote before the end of the session, the case will rest solely in the hands of the criminal investigation.
This is the first time the Assembly has applied its Regulation Against Sexual Harassment — approved in 2021 — to a sitting deputy, giving the commission’s work a precedent-setting role.
