Virginia Illanes Bordón, Criminal and Correctional Investigation Judge No. 2 of Chilecito, is accused of alleged bribery, malfeasance and fraud in two different cases.
June 9, 2024, 11:44 a.m.
In recent days the Superior Court of Justice requested that an internal summary be initiated against the judge. (Production: Tomás Vidal Adano and Josefina López Mac Kenzie).
Virginia IllanesCriminal and Correctional Instruction Judge No. 2 of Chilecito, in the interior of La Rioja, faces two criminal complaints for alleged bribery aggravated liability. Furthermore, the judge is also charged with fraud and malfeasance in one of these cases, in which in recent days the prosecutor Diego Torres Pagnusat promoted criminal action.
In both investigations, the magistrate is accused of having collected money from people who had criminal cases. Both citizens, a woman and a businessman, after giving him the money enjoyed procedural benefits, according to the complaints. David Calipo, a Chilean lawyer, represents those who denounced her and spoke with TN.
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This is the second judge charged with corruption in a few weeks in La Rioja. In the first case, a civil judge from the capital judicial department faces a criminal case for “concussion”. The evidence (video and audio) does not show it Norma Abate de Mazzucchelli receiving money, but asking for it from the victim, Manuela Saavedra, who denounced her so much in Telenight Investigate as before the prosecutor Luis González Aguirre.
The judge in the Mazzucchelli case is María Cecilia Córdobaa former official of the Executive Branch recently arrived at the judicial function, appointed with an express and irregular procedure, as denounced by the Council of Lawyers and Attorneys of La Rioja in an amparo.
Judge Virginia Illanes of Chilecito faces two criminal complaints for alleged aggravated passive bribery. (Photo: TN).
In the second case, the one involving the Chilecito magistrate, the accusations are already for collecting, and not just for demanding money. Sources in the case told TN that the evidence against Virginia Illanes “is robust” and that the facts under investigation are “crude.” They listed audios, chats, bank transfer receipts and testimonies given in court. The judge in charge of these cases, still incipient, is Alberto Marcelo Carrizo.
Thats not all. Illanes now added one criminal complaint for alleged irregular relations with the Policewhich would include the use of police officers and patrol cars for personal benefit.
Mazzuchelli exercises his own defense, while Illanes Bordón said in statements to local radio Fénix that he was seeking advice from a law firm. Both also face complaints made to the Judicial Council.
Read also: The Legislature rejected the request for resignation of the judge accused of collecting bribes and the impeachment trial advances
In the Mazzucchelli case, this week the members of the trial jury swore an oath that must resolve his eventual dismissal. In Illanes, the complaint had been filed before the Mazzucchelli scandal. It has not yet been treated, but in recent days the Superior Court of Justice requested that an internal summary is initiated.
