The The State Comptroller General opened an investigation into a complaint made by Assemblywoman Sofía Espín (correísta) against the Minister of Energy, Fernando Santos. In a communication dated December 1, the National Directorate of Planning and Evaluation of the Comptroller’s Office informs you that “the National Directorate of Natural Resources Audit has been authorized” to carry out a special examination “for the alleged existence of infraction and responsibility of the public servant Fernando Santos Alvite”.
The opposition assemblywoman had sent a communication to the Comptroller on November 17, indicating that “different sources of information, national and even international, have received the news that the new Minister of Energy of Ecuador is the final beneficiary of a company offshore in Bahamas”, which, if true, would be infringing article 4 of the Law for the Application of the Popular Consultation on Tax Havens.
Indeed, in the first days of November, once Minister Santos took office, a Spanish media outlet called Public released the news that the official and a relative of his were final beneficiaries of the offshore Santa Laura Victoria. This would not have been reported on his net worth statement.
However, the Minister of Energy and Mines, Fernando Santos Alvite, assured at that time that he resigned from said company on October 28, from his position as director of the company Santa Laura Victoria Ltda., that is, before being sworn in.
Then Santos also clarified that it was not up to him to declare this situation, because he was not an owner or a shareholder.. He explained, however, that he disassociated himself from said company, of which he was a director, in 2020; but he formally insisted on his resignation on October 28. “I did it out of delicacy, despite the fact that, since he was not a shareholder, he had no obligation to declare it as a personal asset,” he assured.
He explained that as a lawyer he has created several companies for clients. One of those clients had asked him to create a company in the Bahamas, and for Santos and a relative of his to be part of the board of directors. “I have already resigned from that position,” he maintained.
The Department of Communication of the Ministry has said that Santos will rule on the issue the following week. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
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