Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10BOGOTA327
2010-02-23 23:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bogota
Cable title:
ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES LODGED AGAINST PALACE AIDE, DAS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBO #0327 0542301 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 232301Z FEB 10 FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3019 INFO RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL RHMFISS/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC RUCNFB/FBI WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS RUEHPE/AMEMBASSY LIMA RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 000327
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/23
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KJUS CO
SUBJECT: ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES LODGED AGAINST PALACE AIDE, DAS
DIRECTORS IN WIRETAPPING SCANDAL
REF: A) 10 BOGOTA 323; B) 09 BGOTA 3271 AND PREVIOUS
CLASSIFIED BY: Mark A. Wells, Political Counselor; REASON: 1.4(B),
(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BOGOTA 000327
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/23
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KJUS CO
SUBJECT: ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES LODGED AGAINST PALACE AIDE, DAS
DIRECTORS IN WIRETAPPING SCANDAL
REF: A) 10 BOGOTA 323; B) 09 BGOTA 3271 AND PREVIOUS
CLASSIFIED BY: Mark A. Wells, Political Counselor; REASON: 1.4(B),
(D)
1. (U) In a follow-up to developments concerning the illegal
wiretapping scandal reported in Reftel A, on February 22 Inspector
General (Procurador) Alejandro Ordonez announced disciplinary
charges against several Colombian government officials. Among the
notables, Inspector General Alejandro Ordonez accused President
Uribe's Secretary of the Presidency Bernardo Moreno of abusing his
authority by organizing meetings between Administrative Department
of Security (DAS, the civilian intelligence agency) officials and
the GOC's Financial Intelligence Unit (UIAF) to discuss privileged
information related to Ascencio Reyes, a businessman alleged to
have irregular financial dealings with members of the Supreme
Court. In a public statement, Moreno rejected the Inspector
General's allegations and claimed he acted in accordance with the
law. Charges were also announced against UIAF Director Mario
Aranguren Rincon for instructing his officials to meet with Moreno
in the presidential palace ("Casa Narino"). The Inspector General
cited three former DAS directors and a deputy director for abuse of
authority or failure to comply with orders. Ordonez formally
dropped the inquiry against Presidential Press Secretary Cesar
Mauricio Velasquez and Vice Minister of Defense Jorge Eastman, but
recommended that the Superior Judicial Council open an
investigation against unnamed high-level officials at the
Prosecutor General's Office for their purported role in the misuse
of the Prosecutor General's judicial intercept program.
2. (U) Those subject to disciplinary charges were given 10 days to
request an evidentiary hearing to present evidence and call
witnesses to prove their innocence. If the Inspector General
agrees to hear the evidence, the process could take up to three
months before a final sanction is handed down. Possible sanctions
include fines to a maximum 15-year suspension from public service.
3. (C) COMMENT: The Inspector General's disciplinary process is
administrative in nature and separate from the criminal
investigations carried out by the Prosecutor General's Office
reported in Reftel A. Ordonez' decision is significant in that it
is the first action taken against a Casa de Narino official with
regard to the DAS/wiretapping scandal. Secretary of the Presidency
Moreno has been a prime suspect in the search for a presidential
link to the wiretaps (Reftel B),though we are still unaware of a
formal criminal investigation against him.
NICHOLS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2020/02/23
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KJUS CO
SUBJECT: ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES LODGED AGAINST PALACE AIDE, DAS
DIRECTORS IN WIRETAPPING SCANDAL
REF: A) 10 BOGOTA 323; B) 09 BGOTA 3271 AND PREVIOUS
CLASSIFIED BY: Mark A. Wells, Political Counselor; REASON: 1.4(B),
(D)
1. (U) In a follow-up to developments concerning the illegal
wiretapping scandal reported in Reftel A, on February 22 Inspector
General (Procurador) Alejandro Ordonez announced disciplinary
charges against several Colombian government officials. Among the
notables, Inspector General Alejandro Ordonez accused President
Uribe's Secretary of the Presidency Bernardo Moreno of abusing his
authority by organizing meetings between Administrative Department
of Security (DAS, the civilian intelligence agency) officials and
the GOC's Financial Intelligence Unit (UIAF) to discuss privileged
information related to Ascencio Reyes, a businessman alleged to
have irregular financial dealings with members of the Supreme
Court. In a public statement, Moreno rejected the Inspector
General's allegations and claimed he acted in accordance with the
law. Charges were also announced against UIAF Director Mario
Aranguren Rincon for instructing his officials to meet with Moreno
in the presidential palace ("Casa Narino"). The Inspector General
cited three former DAS directors and a deputy director for abuse of
authority or failure to comply with orders. Ordonez formally
dropped the inquiry against Presidential Press Secretary Cesar
Mauricio Velasquez and Vice Minister of Defense Jorge Eastman, but
recommended that the Superior Judicial Council open an
investigation against unnamed high-level officials at the
Prosecutor General's Office for their purported role in the misuse
of the Prosecutor General's judicial intercept program.
2. (U) Those subject to disciplinary charges were given 10 days to
request an evidentiary hearing to present evidence and call
witnesses to prove their innocence. If the Inspector General
agrees to hear the evidence, the process could take up to three
months before a final sanction is handed down. Possible sanctions
include fines to a maximum 15-year suspension from public service.
3. (C) COMMENT: The Inspector General's disciplinary process is
administrative in nature and separate from the criminal
investigations carried out by the Prosecutor General's Office
reported in Reftel A. Ordonez' decision is significant in that it
is the first action taken against a Casa de Narino official with
regard to the DAS/wiretapping scandal. Secretary of the Presidency
Moreno has been a prime suspect in the search for a presidential
link to the wiretaps (Reftel B),though we are still unaware of a
formal criminal investigation against him.
NICHOLS