Former host Regina Cañas was sentenced to three years in prison, which had to be replaced by community work for covering up Mauricio Funes’ misappropriation of funds.
Former television host Regina Cañas Rivera, known as “Tía Bubu”, was sentenced to three years in prison this afternoon for covering up the money laundering crime committed by fugitive former President Mauricio Funes, the Attorney General’s Office of the Republic confirmed (FGR).
However, the FGR itself and Cañas Rivera’s lawyer, Arnau Baulenas, indicated that the sentence will be replaced with public utility work not yet specified by the judge in the case.
The seventh investigating court found Regina Cañas guilty on March 23 of concealing money laundering, an act of fugitive former president Mauricio Funes. Video EDH / Damaris Girón.
You can read: Regina Cañas, “Tía Bubu”, sentenced to three years in prison for hiding Funes; will pay with community service
Given this, “Aunt Bubu” said she was pleased with the statement because “I resume my life and do what people have seen I have done, which is work and work,” said the fugitive’s ex-wife. Mauricio Funes., Who made brief statements to the press after the conviction.
Likewise, Baulenas explained that, despite the fact that the details of the Seventh Investigating Judge’s verdict are not known, Cañas Rivera is regaining his liberty without restriction, as “ there are no documents or expert reports showing that Regina received public funds. “.
The former television presenter reached an agreement with the Attorney General to keep the penalty for the crime she was accused of as low as possible: in return, she had to accept the crime and accept civil liability which will be determined by the court.
According to Arnau Baulenas, lawyer of “Tía Bubu”, the former television presenter regains her unlimited freedom with this ruling. Photo: EDH / Francisco Rubio
Subsequently, the prosecution managed to offset $ 95,000 that Funes had given to her son so that he could invest them in the purchase of vehicles, money that came from the treasury.
Diego Funes was pointed out by the Supreme Court Integrity Division (CSJ) for failing to justify the $ 118,600 amount invested in vehicle purchase.
In the patrimonial statement that Diego presented (for being a politically exposed person), Regina Cañas and Mauricio Funes faked a $ 95,000 contract to justify the vehicles, but the money originally came from the state treasury.
Also read: “Aunt Bubu” admitted to covering up money laundering and returned the $ 95,000
In the same former TV host’s confession, she explained that the $ 95,000 amount had arisen because it was an amount she could justify for a bank loan she had previously provided.
Cañas Rivera was prosecuted for the public looting case, of which fugitive Mauricio Funes is said to have led a structure that raised $ 351 million from the state during his tenure. Diego Roberto, their son, is also being prosecuted in the case.