Trial Begins for Former PDI Director Héctor Espinosa as Prosecutors Seek 20-Year Sentence for Embezzling 146 Million Pesos

With the case formally read at Santiagos Fourth Oral Criminal Court, the oral trial of He9ctor Espinosa, former director of Chileb4s Investigations Police (PDI), began on Monday, October 6.

In this case, prosecutors accuse the ex-police chief of misappropriating roughly 146 million pesos in reserved public funds for personal use during his five-year tenure leading the PDI. For these alleged crimes, the Public Ministry is seeking a 20-year prison sentence for Espinosa.

abThe prosecution plans to present 83 witnesses, three expert reports, and extensive documentary evidence,bb the office said after the first day of the criminal proceedings.

According to press reports citing evidence held by the Public Ministry, Espinosa allegedly distributed part of the diverted money along the chain that executed the embezzlement and kept the rest, depositing it into his own checking accounts at BancoEstado and Banco de Chile, as well as into accounts belonging to his wife, Magdalena Neira, who is also charged with money laundering.

‘Associate’ of Hermosilla

As previously reported by El Ciudadano, a forensic review of attorney Luis Hermosillab4s cellphone revealed multiple messages from then PDI director Sergio Muf1ozf4a0f4who succeeded He9ctor Espinosaf4a0f4allegedly sharing confidential information about several cases, including the one targeting Espinosa.

Earlier, in November 2019f4at the height of Chileb4s social unrestf4 Espinosa appeared to defend Andre9s Chadwick before a Chamber of Deputies committee that was evaluating the constitutional accusation against former Interior Minister for President Pif1era. Read more:

They Were All Associates of Luis Hermosilla: The day former PDI director He9ctor Espinosa defended Andre9s Chadwick before the National Congress

Prosecutors seek 20-year prison term for former PDI director He9ctor Espinosa over embezzlement of 146 million pesos

El Ciudadano