For 9 crimes of embezzlement, a former official of the National Insurance Institute (INS), named Acuña Miranda, was sentenced to 27 years in prison.
The sentence was handed down on August 18th by the Finance Criminal Court of the Second Judicial Circuit in San José.
Acuña was the former keeper of the Financial Department of INS Pension Operator.
According to the investigation, the crimes occurred from February 21st, 2007 when the former official was to safeguard the Titles Development Units (TUDES), issued by the institute to the Ministry of Finance.
The titles marked the contributions that the state must pay to employees of the Ministry of Public Education (MEP), who went from the Pensions and Retirements System of the National Faculty, to the Disability, Old Age and Death Regime of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS),”
said the Public Ministry.
By having access to physical and electronic information, Acuña manipulated data sent to the National Treasury, Ministry of Finance and diverted money repeatedly.
He modified the information of several TUDES beneficiaries and included his sentimental partner and his in-laws as holders of a certificate. With this, he managed to withdraw the sum of ¢ 10. 194,592, causing financial loss to the institution,”
stated the report of the prosecution.
Acuña is already in preventive custody, and the sentence against him stands strong.