Chimirri was charged by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor of the crime of abuse of authority and found guilty, but acquitted on charges of fraud. The trial court set the hearing for sentencing today. The Criminal Code outlines that for the crime of abuse of authority, one would serve from three to six years imprisonment; it is expected that the prosecution would seek the maximum.

The prosecution accused Chimirri of abuse of authority and fraud for instructing the payment of fees to two law firms, which was taken from the budget of the Hondutel Expansion Plan. The law firms’ payment was for the defense of former officials of Hondutel, Oscar Danilo Santos, and Luis Alejandro Arriaga, accused by the Prosecution of illegal wiretapping.

When Marcelo Chimirri was acquitted on charges of fraud, the Public Ministry lodged an appeal. Similarly, it is anticipated that the defense will also try to appeal and reverse the conviction for abuse of authority.