Puerto Montt Court Suspends Senator Calisto as Prosecutors Demand 12 Years for Fraud Against the Treasury

Original article: Corte de Puerto Montt desaforó a senador Calisto: Fiscalía pide 12 años por fraude al fisco

On the afternoon of Tuesday, October 6, the Puerto Montt Court of Appeals announced its decision to suspend Senator Miguel Ángel Calisto (IND), who is under investigation for an alleged fraud against the government.

According to various national media reports, the ruling was unanimous (three votes to zero), allowing the Public Prosecutor’s Office to proceed with legal action against the legislator.

The case against Calisto involves potential irregularities in the use of parliamentary allowances during the 2018-2022 period, when he served as a deputy. The prosecutors claim that the legislator allegedly received funds from Congress «through parliamentary consultations that supposedly never took place.»

Furthermore, as reported by El Ciudadano, early in September, the Public Prosecutor’s Office formally requested the suspension of the senator for a fraud against the treasury estimated to exceed $100 million.

The Local Prosecutor’s Office of Coyhaique filed charges against eight defendants, including Calisto, for repeated offenses of fraud against the treasury and fraud in subsidy applications.

Senator Sánchez’s Criticism

Upon hearing the news, Beatriz Sánchez, senator of the Broad Front, described the situation as «unacceptable.»

«Senator Miguel Ángel Calisto was suspended this afternoon by the Court of Appeals and just an hour before, he voted in favor of a new member of the Supreme Court. What audacity!» exclaimed the legislator.

We will continue to provide updates. Read on:

Case Calisto Expands: Prosecutors Open Bribery Angle as Suspension Hearing Approaches