The deputy vice-president of the National University (UNA), Hernán Alvarado Ugarte, was removed from office on January 1st.
Alvarado was reported to the Office of the Public Ethics at the University Comptroller for allegedly doing private consulting work with other entities while serving as full-time teacher at the institution, before being appointed as Vice-President.
According to the complaint filed by lawyers Federico Piedra and Juan José Navarro, Alvarado had accumulated a total of 1,730 working days of dereliction of duty. The accused allegedly went abroad during workdays paid by the university, for businesses with an international organization dedicated to the conservation of natural resources.
The complaint was filed while Alvarado held the position of deputy vice-president, but the offenses for which he is accused, had been committed before being appointed. The president of the academic institution, Alberto Salom, raised the case to the competent body.
Alvarado stated that Salom’s decision to remove him from his position had no academic o legal motives, but pure political convenience.
Alvarado began his work at the National University 37 years ago.