Scandal in Medellín: Prosecutor calls to trial former officials of the Quintero mayor's office for multimillion-dollar overspending on sports

In Medellín, Colombia, the Attorney General's Office has formally called for trial against four former officials from the administration of Mayor Daniel Quintero Calle, along with a private contractor, over alleged multi-million peso overspending in sports-related contracts during their tenure. The charges stem from investigations into suspected irregularities involving the Institute of Sports Development (Inder), Metroparques, and the company Cyan Eventos y Logística S.A.S. These actions allegedly caused public funds losses exceeding 3.7 billion pesos. The accused include Diana Paola Toro Zuleta, former director of Inder; Jorge Enrique Liévano Ospina, former manager of Metroparques; María Eugenia Domínguez Castañeda, former head of purchases and later manager of Metroparques; and Mauricio Jaramillo Botero, legal representative of Cyan. The investigation began in 2020 when Inder sought to contract local tournaments, sporting festivals, and community events. To achieve this, Inder signed an inter-administrative agreement with Metroparques, which directed the contracting process to Cyan. According to prosecutors, studies on the sector and market were intentionally omitted to justify inflated prices, resulting in a total overcharge of 3,705,259,410 pesos for items such as uniforms, medals, trophies, and balls. In addition to inflated pricing and multiple subcontracting, the Attorney General found deficiencies in the quality of delivered goods, including low-quality balls accepted without issue by the administration. The duration of the contract was also extended significantly beyond its initial two-and-a-half-month plan, lasting 26 months instead. The case involving Cyan is not isolated but part of a broader pattern of contracting practices during the previous administration, which is alleged to have diverted approximately 200 billion pesos. Jorge Enrique Liévano, one of the accused, is linked to the controversial WhatsApp group known as 'Los Amiguitos,' where Miguel Quintero, brother of the former mayor, was also a member. This group reportedly decided the direction of public contracting, appointed key personnel in regional entities, and shared evidence of luxury assets obtained through bribes. To support the prosecution during the trial phase, the judicial oversight body will present more than 1,800 documentary pieces of evidence and testimony from 18 witnesses who will testify about the alleged illegal maneuvers. The investigation highlights systemic issues within public contracting processes, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in municipal governance. The scandal comes amid similar allegations against César Pachón, the former director of the Agency for Rural Development (ADR). Pachón was removed from his position after being found to have engaged in questionable practices, including signing contracts for personal use and employing individuals without proper qualifications. One notable example is the leasing of a police aircraft for personal travel, costing nearly 9 million pesos daily. This contract, worth 3 billion pesos, was signed under number 1626-2026 and is set to expire in December 2026. Pachón had previously entered into similar agreements totaling over 4 billion pesos in 2025. Additionally, Pachón’s tenure saw the hiring of two indigenous shamans named Roberto Nacogüi Awigui and Mariana Gil Daza, referred to as "el mayor" and "la mayora." Their roles were described in contracts as providing traditional services related to ethnic communities, though insiders suggest these roles were more symbolic, involving rituals and chants to ward off negative energies. These contracts, each valued at 12.6 million pesos, were signed for six months. Fernando Moreno, a close associate of Pachón, signed three consecutive contracts reflecting a clear rise in status and trust within the organization. His role underscores the internal dynamics and potential conflicts of interest that may have influenced decision-making processes within the ADR. As new leadership takes charge of both the ADR and the Medellín municipality, the implications of these scandals could reshape policy approaches and institutional reforms aimed at restoring public confidence. The ongoing trials and investigations will likely provide further insights into the extent of corruption and mismanagement within these organizations.