Tartagal mayor dismissed for embezzlement

Tartagal City Council decided to remove kirchnerist mayor Sergio Leavy, who is accused of embezzlement, malfeasance in his duties and illicit enrichment.

After hours of meeting, the council got the eight votes needed for the dismissal and only three votes were against it.

The charge of “bad performance of duties” refers to the avalanche that the city suffered last year and the scarce resources there were received, despite the public funds.

Leavy is investigated by the Justice of Salta on aabout 200 thousand pesos alloted to relief works that vanished into thin air. There are allegations that relate to his family.From the 627 houses that he promised to the National Government, only 10 were finished. The last case focused on overcharges of photographic works that ended in another scandal.

“When a mayor exerts the supreme power in view of the common good, it is an honest government. But when he’s ruled by his personal interests, the government is corrupt,” said the Councilman Walter Salvatierra, from the PJ, during his plea.

The session ended in scandal and shouts. Leavy said to the opposition: “All witnesses are lying. A big plot against me has been arranged. I feel attacked. I could never fight against monopolies.” He also said to have documentation to prove his innocence and he denied being guilty of all charges against him.

“I could never say what really happened,” complained Leavy, and announced that Justice will appeal to his removal from office.

Leavy will now have five to seven days to lodge an appeal and then his sentence would be confirmed. In that case Olga Ferrer would take up as mayor, as she is the House of legislation’s president.

The mayor had nine lawsuits  and 19 counts against him, which were signed by 8 town councilors.