The “Hermozilla case” shook Chile’s political, economic and judicial elite | A leak unleashed the biggest corruption scandal since 1990

Since its release in November 2023, Audio leaked to press in Chile explodes country’s worst corruption scandal Since the return to democracy. This is about “Audio Case” Also known as “The Case of Hermosilla” The hero of the audios is the lawyer Luis Edgardo Hermosillawho was part of the entourage of the deceased Sebastian Pineraand revealed Negotiations of the Chilean elite In a country that is internationally rated for its transparency.

Last Thursday Chile’s Supreme Court impeached one of its judges, Angela VivancoVictim of corruption, with news Show a close relationship between her and Hermosilla. As it was revealed, the lawyer came looking for him Support In his campaign to enter the court Transfer of confidential judicial information.

In the previous movement, Chile’s House of Representatives approves opening a political investigation Against accused Vivanco and another judge in the case, Sergio MunozIn a motion to be debated this Tuesday in the Senate. The scandal came to light after Hermosilla He will hand over his phone following the fraud investigation. The lawyer has been in jail since August 27Accused of “bribery, influence peddling and money laundering”, but The list of those involved goes on and on.

“Corruption and Influence in Corruption”

In November last year, intelligence shop Cyber Released the audio of the recorded conversation without a court order between HermosillaYour colleague, LEONARDA VILLALOPOSAnd Daniel SauerThe leader is a businessman FaketopThere was a Chilean company Under suspicion of fraud. “Here we are doing a ‘hua’ (matter), it is a crime,” Hermosilla is heard saying. About bribing Sourai to save him from prison.

After the lawyer’s phone was seized, the press accessed its contents and the scandal gradually grew. in the middle Almost one million pages of copiesAudios are revealingThe lawyer interacts with Chile’s political, economic and judicial eliteAs well as his manipulations of local justice to benefit his clients.

to Nicholas SepulvedaThe Hermosilla case, the cyber journalist who exposed the conspiracy behind the audios “It shows how a section of the elite solves certain problems and how it manages economic interests.”. “There is a lot of deception, influence and corruption in these efforts,” Sepulveda told AFP, adding that Hermosilla acts as “a symbol, a bridge between business, political and judicial powers” that solve its problems by breaking the rules. .

These actions, according to the journalist, are “empirical proof of how there is no equal access to justice in Chile.” The scandal unleashed a political earthquake that continues to widen. “This is the biggest corruption case in our country’s recent history, the deepest network of collar-and-tie corruption that has tried to corrupt various government institutions,” Chilean government spokeswoman Camila Vallejo described. Does not appear to splash through the case.

Progress of Reason

Hearing from audio Includes 12 people Until now. Three of the protagonists of the audio are already in jailAlong with the former Chief of Civil Police, Sergio Munoz, who fell Accused of giving privileged information to lawyers. Supreme Court Justice on Thursday Angela Vivanco, He was fired for having an affair with a lawyer Now faces a political investigation in Congress that could disqualify her from public office.

Another member of the High Court, Jean Pierre Matus, He also faces impeachment proceedings for possible influence peddling. Regarding the case. Among the cases arising from Hermosilla, one of the most serious involved a former prosecutor Manuel Guerrawho Penta is responsible for the open investigation against the owners of the Economic Group, Carlos Delano And Carlos Lavin, Who’s who in 2015 They were investigated for bribery and illegal political funding.

In the controversial agreement, Guevara reduced tariffs for merchantsAssociated with conservative parties, and Instead of jail time, he was told to attend ethics classes. This case removed the foundation of trust in a country, accordingly NGO Transparency International lists it as the second least corrupt country in Latin America and 29th globally.

Links with Piñera

Revealed news Hermosillathat He was an adviser to Sebastian Piñera’s right-wing governmentShow that the lawyer cooperates with different political figures and works outside the law to support their interests. “In 25 years of public ministry, there has never been a corruption charge of this magnitude against such a relevant authority,” the Chilean national prosecutor admitted. Angel Valencia.

The shock wave of the case is reaching those around the late former presidentHermozilla rose to become one of the most influential judges in two terms from 2010 to 2014 and from 2018 to 2022. Andrew ChadwickPinera’s cousin and Home Minister during his two administrations, He was one of Hermosilla’s best friends Also, Repeatedly mentioned in filtered messages.

Chadwick was called to testify under suspicion of presiding over actions by the prosecutor. Messages with ex-lawyer Guevara reveal that Hermosilla He also provided information on two judicial cases that investigated the investments Pinera and it were closed without charge.