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Wife of Ex-president of Honduras Convicted in Corruption Case


Former Honduran first lady Rosa Elena Bonilla de Lobo smiles arrives to court for her sentencing on corruption charges in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Aug. 20, 2019.
Former Honduran first lady Rosa Elena Bonilla de Lobo smiles arrives to court for her sentencing on corruption charges in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Aug. 20, 2019.

A Honduran court convicted the wife of former President Porfirio Lobo on graft charges, including siphoning funds from programs designed to help poor children, a judicial official said on Tuesday.

Rosa Elena Bonilla was found guilty of diverting some 18.3 million Honduran lempiras ($779,000) in public funds plus international donations that were originally earmarked for social programs. The funds were then used to pay for personal medical bills, building projects, her children's private school tuition and jewelry.

The conviction carries a sentence of between 58 years and 87 years, which will be set next week, according to court spokesman Carlos Silva.

The case was pushed by local prosecutors as well as the Organization of American States' Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras, known locally as MACCIH.

Bonilla's husband, Porfirio Lobo, was elected president of the Central American nation in late 2009 after a military coup ousted then-President Manuel Zelaya, and he served until 2014.

Honduras' former president Porfirio Lobo Sosa (front), waits outside a court before attending the hearing of his wife Rosa Elena Bonilla de Lobo in Tegucigalpa, Aug. 20, 2019.
Honduras' former president Porfirio Lobo Sosa (front), waits outside a court before attending the hearing of his wife Rosa Elena Bonilla de Lobo in Tegucigalpa, Aug. 20, 2019.

Arrested on the graft charges early last year, Bonilla was charged with operating a network from 2011 to 2015 that cashed over 70 checks purporting to be legitimate transactions that in part were meant to purchase shoes for poor students.

Instead, the funds were given to Bonilla's accomplices in the scheme who were paid a small commission.

A lawyer for Bonilla said she will seek to overturn the conviction.

"The former first lady Rosa Elena Bonilla is innocent (and) we're going to appeal this ruling," said defense lawyer Juan Berganza, adding that the conviction was marred by procedural violations.

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    Reuters

    Reuters is a news agency founded in 1851 and owned by the Thomson Reuters Corporation based in Toronto, Canada. One of the world's largest wire services, it provides financial news as well as international coverage in over 16 languages to more than 1000 newspapers and 750 broadcasters around the globe.

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