Ecuador judge sends former vice-president Jorge Glas to trial

20/5/2025 13:12

A judge in Ecuador on Monday ruled former vice president Jorge Glas will face trial for alleged misuse of public funds allocated to rebuild areas affected by a devastating 2016 earthquake.



Glas is currently in prison serving out convictions in two prior corruption cases.



The attorney general's office had asked that Glas and eight other ex-officials, some of whom are outside the country, face charges in the case.



Prosecutors accuse Glas, who led the reconstruction effort for Manabi and Esmeraldas provinces after the earthquake, of misdirecting funds for non-priority works.



Judge Marco Aguirre said during a public hearing that there were indications that Glas committed embezzlement by using funds intended for reconstruction for other projects that were not related to the reconstruction in Manabi.



The funds were raised through taxes, including an increase in VAT.



The prosecution also claims the funds were misused for the benefit of contractors and supervisors involved in the reconstruction.