Next Tuesday, August 19, the 4th Criminal Chamber of Córdoba will open a trial for alleged bribe collection from security companies. The case involves former Radical officials from Ramón Mestre's administration, accused of demanding illegal payments. The accused are former Deputy Secretary of Municipal Services Mario Rey and his collaborators Alejandro Rezk and Guillermo Medina.
The case began in 2011 following a complaint by Visión Nocturna SA, which was hired to guard hospitals and municipal offices. According to the plaintiff, after refusing to pay bribes, the company was left with unpaid invoices and in default. Attorney Karina Zeverín estimated damages at 200,000 dollars.
The proceedings will take place with popular juries and expose a corruption scheme that persisted for years. The judicial investigation detected irregular collections at municipal counters, forgery of permits, and demands on business owners. These events are part of a larger case that remains under investigation.
Rey y sus colaboradores exigieron a la empresa contratos para personas vinculadas a la campaña política.
Demands and bribes
According to the accusation, Rey and his collaborators demanded that the company provide contracts for people linked to the political campaign. Many of those hired did not meet the requirements for security work, but this was justified as "containing activists." Payments were also requested according to a "rate chart" of percentages.
This chart included 20% on payments prior to December 10, 2011 (44 pounds), 15% on intermediate payments (33 pounds), 10% for "fixing" bids (22 pounds), and 5% for new jobs (11 pounds). In March 2012, the company won a bid to guard the Hospital del Sur. Shortly after, Rey demanded a monthly payment to avoid causing problems.
Visión Nocturna rejected the scheme, which led to further delays in municipal payments. Similar incidents reportedly affected Centinela Servicio a Empresas, which was added as a provider in February 2012. Its owners received suggestions for "gestures of goodwill" so that the money would be released.
Los acusados son el exsubsecretario de Servicios Municipales Mario Rey y sus colaboradores Alejandro Rezk y Guillermo Medina.
Charged offenses and court
The companies were also required to hire an employee to expedite paperwork at the Municipality. The formal accusation against Rey, Rezk, and Medina is for consummated and attempted extortion. The Chamber prosecutor will be Marcelo Hidalgo.
The court will be composed of judges Luis Nassiz, María Antonia de la Rúa, and Enrique Berger. The plaintiff is represented by Karina Zeverín, while the defense of the accused is led by Julio Deheza. The case rekindles the debate on corruption in past municipal administrations.
El caso involucra a exfuncionarios radicales de la gestión de Ramón Mestre, señalados por exigir pagos ilegales.
