Marcelo Chimirri
Encyclopedia
Marcelo Chimirri, a nephew of the deposed president of Honduras
Manuel Zelaya
, is a former General Manager of the state-owned telecom company Hondutel
. Chimirri was appointed as the head of the state-owned telecom company Hondutel
after his uncle became president in 2006.
According to Reporters Without Borders
, on May 8, 2006, Chimirri attacked Octavio Carvajal, an action Carvajal attributed to embarrassing questions and criticism he had made about Chimirri. Chimirri reportedly grabbed Carvajal by the throat and said "I am not intimidating you because I am not someone who makes threats - I act and I execute... the president’s office is irritated by all the questions you have been asking."
Financial irregularities with Hondutel were later reported in the Honduran media. Marcelo Chimirri sued the journalists. In January 2008, the United States denied Chimirri a visa, citing evidence of corruption.
In April 2009, Latin Node Inc., an American company, pleaded guilty in Miami, Florida
to making improper payments to Hondutel, "knowing that some, or all of those funds, would be passed on as bribes to officials of Hondutel". Three months later, Chimirri was arrested by the Dirección General de Investigación Criminal (DGNI) after being indicted on charges of bribery, fraud and abuse of authority, charges which he denies. Chimirri remains in prison. In addition to Chimirri, Oscar Danilo Santos (the former manager of Hondutel), Jorge Rosa, and James Lagos were all charged in connection with allegedly committing crimes of abuse of authority, fraud and bribery having received bribes of $1.09 million U.S. from an Latin Node in exchange for Hondutel providing that carrier lower rates than other firms. Auditor Julio Daniel Flores was charged for the lesser crime of violation of duties of officers.
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
Manuel Zelaya
Manuel Zelaya
José Manuel Zelaya Rosales is a politician who was President of Honduras from January 27, 2006 until June 28, 2009. The eldest son of a wealthy businessman, he inherited his father's nickname "Mel," and, before entering politics, was involved in his family's logging and timber businesses.Elected...
, is a former General Manager of the state-owned telecom company Hondutel
Hondutel
Hondutel , is Honduras' government owned telecommunications company.It has a monopoly on international calls...
. Chimirri was appointed as the head of the state-owned telecom company Hondutel
Hondutel
Hondutel , is Honduras' government owned telecommunications company.It has a monopoly on international calls...
after his uncle became president in 2006.
According to Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders is a France-based international non-governmental organization that advocates freedom of the press. It was founded in 1985, by Robert Ménard, Rony Brauman and the journalist Jean-Claude Guillebaud. Jean-François Julliard has served as Secretary General since 2008...
, on May 8, 2006, Chimirri attacked Octavio Carvajal, an action Carvajal attributed to embarrassing questions and criticism he had made about Chimirri. Chimirri reportedly grabbed Carvajal by the throat and said "I am not intimidating you because I am not someone who makes threats - I act and I execute... the president’s office is irritated by all the questions you have been asking."
Financial irregularities with Hondutel were later reported in the Honduran media. Marcelo Chimirri sued the journalists. In January 2008, the United States denied Chimirri a visa, citing evidence of corruption.
In April 2009, Latin Node Inc., an American company, pleaded guilty in Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
to making improper payments to Hondutel, "knowing that some, or all of those funds, would be passed on as bribes to officials of Hondutel". Three months later, Chimirri was arrested by the Dirección General de Investigación Criminal (DGNI) after being indicted on charges of bribery, fraud and abuse of authority, charges which he denies. Chimirri remains in prison. In addition to Chimirri, Oscar Danilo Santos (the former manager of Hondutel), Jorge Rosa, and James Lagos were all charged in connection with allegedly committing crimes of abuse of authority, fraud and bribery having received bribes of $1.09 million U.S. from an Latin Node in exchange for Hondutel providing that carrier lower rates than other firms. Auditor Julio Daniel Flores was charged for the lesser crime of violation of duties of officers.
See also
- HondutelHondutelHondutel , is Honduras' government owned telecommunications company.It has a monopoly on international calls...
- Manuel ZelayaManuel ZelayaJosé Manuel Zelaya Rosales is a politician who was President of Honduras from January 27, 2006 until June 28, 2009. The eldest son of a wealthy businessman, he inherited his father's nickname "Mel," and, before entering politics, was involved in his family's logging and timber businesses.Elected...
- Financial irregularities during the Manuel Zelaya administrationFinancial irregularities during the Manuel Zelaya administrationAlleged Financial irregularities during the Manuel Zelaya administration received attention of many Hondurans.In late 2008, Zelaya went as far as refusing to send Congress a budget, claiming that it was impossible to come up with numbers, even though the constitution required the president to...